Drakes Supermarkets has achieved a significant milestone in their philanthropic efforts, having donated $1 million to HeartKids. This substantial sum marks the highest contribution Drakes has made to a charitable organisation, highlighting their dedicated partnership over the past seven years.
HeartKids, the sole Australian charity focused on supporting families affected by Childhood-onset Heart Disease (CoHD), has been the beneficiary of Drakes’ fundraising efforts. CoHD represents a critical health challenge, with one baby born every three hours in Australia suffering from a congenital heart defect.
The latest donation of $257,216.20 was presented by Roger and Wendy Drake to Tania Potts, the Chief of Support, Services and Impact at HeartKids. The presentation was a poignant occasion, attended by affected families and their children.
Throughout June, Drakes customers participated avidly, purchasing $2 Wall Tokens, $5 HeartKids Bracelets, and Superhero Flippers. This activity was part of a broader in-store campaign which also saw employees engage in a variety of fundraising endeavors including raffles, quiz nights, BBQs, and themed fancy dress days in collaboration with local schools.
John-Paul Drake, Director of Drakes, shared his thoughts on the partnership, stating, “Drakes have proudly celebrated Hero for HeartKids Day for seven years, and we know first-hand what a huge impact HeartKids has on families living inside the CoHD community. With the help of our amazing team and customers, we’re proud to have raised over $1mil in donations for this extremely worthy organisation while also having fun dressing up in store!”
The Hero for HeartKids Day saw a special appearance by HeartKids CEO Marcus Sandmann, who visited several Drakes Supermarkets dressed as Superman. This event not only boosted the morale of the store teams but also served as an important avenue to educate and inform both staff and customers about CoHD.
Sandmann remarked on the commitment shown by Drakes over the years, “In the last seven years, we have been amazed by the passion and commitment shown by the Drakes team for the Hero for HeartKids campaign. The highlight has been the strong relationship that has grown between Drakes Supermarkets and HeartKids, as store staff have met local families affected by CoHD.”
He further detailed the personal connections that have developed, saying, “Drakes Supermarkets staff have learned of families within their team who have firsthand experience with CoHd, making their support personal and meaningful. A million thanks to Roger and Wendy Drake for enabling their team to raise funds and awareness of Childhood-onset Heart Disease in-store, in support of babies, children, teens and adults impacted by CoHD.”
For further information on how to support HeartKids and to learn more about Childhood-onset Heart Disease, visit heartkids.org.au.
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