SEA Lake students have helped transform Australia’s heart health, one skip at a time.
Armed with their skipping ropes, St Mary’s Primary School participated in the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart initiative.
This year marked the school’s first year of involvement in the program, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Jump Rope for Heart.
Aimed at promoting exercise and healthy eating, while raising funds to support life-saving research, the students participated in a range of skipping activities, which were showcased during their “jump off” last Friday.
Acting principal Joy Quarrell said all year levels embraced the skipping challenge, with some students learning how to skip for the first time.
“The students were keen to have fun whilst making money for a worthwhile cause,” Mrs Quarrell said.
Over the five weeks leading up to the day, students followed a program set out by the Jump Rope for Heart Foundation.
The program helped to boost fitness levels, encourage group participation and highlight the importance of healthy choices.
Fundraising efforts at the school produced more than $3500 to go towards supporting vital heart research.
“The fundraising achievement is simply fantastic given the number of students involved in our small school,” Mrs Quarrell said, adding the students were extremely proud of their efforts.
“They were happy that the money was going towards improving others’ lives.
“They were excited and humbled by the experience.”
