Armed with a jump rope and a Heart Foundation flyer, Charlie Emms has spent the past six weeks skipping for a cause around Bargara.
The 11-year-old student participated in the St Luke's Anglican School Jump Rope for Heart Challenge and was named highest fundraiser, with a total of $3433.99 raised for the organisation.
It's an achievement Charlie said he was very proud of, having overcome his own health battles and wanting to show support for others.
“I decided to do this because when I was little I had some problems with my stomach” he said.
“So I have skipped for six weeks at all different places in Bargara and met lots of people.”
Charlie's Dad, Shane Emms, said The Heart Foundation was a very special charity to Charlie.
“When he was born, Charlie was premature, only weighing about 1.5kg,” he said.
“He had complications with his stomach that needed to be operated on so spent four weeks in intensive care.
“During this time, he pulled at his feeding tubes which punctured his stomach and intestines, with fluid leaking into his body.
“After seven more weeks in hospital he recovered and has never looked back since.”
Shane said Charlie had put in 110 per cent effort with fundraising, discussing his skipping challenge with those in the Bargara community willing to give him their time.
Heart Foundation's Jump Rope for Heart
Established in 1983, Jump Rope for Heart is a skipping and fundraising program run in schools throughout the year.
It encourages students to have a positive attitude towards exercise, healthy eating and heart health while raising vital funds to fight heart disease.
Charlie a skipping machine
Over the course of the Jump Rope for Heart challenge, Charlie completed over 14 hours of skipping in his spare time.
Dad Shane said it was a fantastic experience for his son, who not only managed to raise thousands of dollars but also met many people along the way.
“Charlie personally approached around 1000 people and skipped rope everyday to raise money,” Shane said.
“The Bargara community have been outstanding, with a majority of the donations coming direct from people he spoke with.
“He has learnt so much about human behaviour and appreciates the support of Club Bargara, Windmill Cafe Bargara, Kacys Motel Bargara, St Luke's Bundaberg and the community of Bargara who by and large have supported his fundraising efforts.”
When asked how he felt after so much skipping action, Charlie said he over the moon.
“I actually feel really great!” he said.
School raises funds
St Luke's Anglican School students were involved in the fundraiser and participated in a special Jump Off Day on the school grounds last week.
Teacher Hayley Russo said it was a successful day.
“At this event, our students rotated through a variety of healthy activities from skipping tricks to utilising our physical activity technology,” she said.
“It was an amazing day topped off with a zooper dooper for one and all, kindly donated by our P and F.”
Mrs Russo said a whopping $18,024.16 was raised and would be utilised by the Heart Foundation to fund life saving research.
“We are so proud of the way our students came together as a group and enjoyed the fun aspect of the program alongside their gigantic fundraising efforts,” she said.
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