New Zealand’s biggest Mother’s Day event, the Jennian Homes Mother’s Day Fun Run/Walk, in support of women’s heart health, is returning to Pukekohe on May 12 – with tickets now on sale.
Runners and walkers will set off from Bledisloe Park at 9am, joining thousands of others participating in regional events around the country.
The annual event contributes to fundraising and awareness for the New Zealand Heart Foundation. Since the Heart Foundation began it has invested more than $65 million into heart research and specialist cardiac training. Jennian Homes has made a significant contribution to this through the Mothers Day Fun run and the Heart Foundation lottery homes Jennian Homes builds around the country.
Heart disease is the single biggest killer of women in New Zealand, claiming the lives of more than 55 women each week. There are very few people who aren’t personally or have someone close to them impacted by heart conditions.
Pukekohe entrants were asked last year how they were impacted, and many came forward sharing stories of their motivation to be part of the cause.
“Hearing stories from our community was very humbling, this is real, and it is happening every day, affecting all kinds of people in our community right here in Franklin just like others around the country” Franklin General Manager Michelle Costello said.
Jennian Homes said stories emerged from the community like: “I have a heart arrhythmia”; “My nanny had congenital heart disease”; “My brother was born with a whole in his heart”; “I have a Heart murmur”; “My mum had a heart valve replacement”; “I Suffered a double dissection in Right Coronary Artery in 2009”; “My mother had an aortic valve replacement in 2007”.
Hearing things like this, for the Jennian team, is rewarding that every year the event is run, families come out and have a great time on Mother’s day. Michelle smiles,
“It is wonderful to see, but also when we sit back and take stock of what we are achieving by running these events, who we are helping in the big picture it makes us really proud to be able to do something important. We’re really lucky that we have such a great local community here in Pukekohe that band together getting out their sports shoes and supporting the event and the Heart Foundation.”
The Jennian Homes Mother’s Day Fun Run/ Walk is a great way to raise much-needed funds and awareness for heart health and encourage kiwis to look after themselves by being fit and active and involve the people they love in the process.
While the event is enthusiastically traditionally embraced by many women the length and breadth of the country, Jennian Homes is this year appealing for more men to get out and show their support. Mothers Day is really about family, so we just want everyone to know that they are welcome to join in the fun for a good cause.
For a full list of locations and to register for the 5km event go to: http://www.jennianmothersday.com/