Heart Kids Canterbury is one of the affiliated branches of Heart Kids NZ and supports 1,351 heart members (and counting).
We know from first-hand experience how important at-home support is and we are dedicated to helping others with similar needs. Our family support team visit families at home and in the hospital, or meet in a café to catch up. They listen, inform and support. They deliver emotional, practical and financial support. Additionally, we provide events to help heart children, teens, adults and families connect with others and form positive heart journey experiences.
Canterbury heart children travel to Auckland’s paediatric cardiac unit for their surgery and treatment. Many are away from home for long periods of time, leaving their jobs, family members and support networks. This adds to the financial and emotional stress of coping with an unwell child. As well as the emotional and practical support provided by the family support team, we also help financially with travel subsidies and other help when we can.
Heart Kids Canterbury covers the greater Canterbury and Hurunui area so goes from Ashburton in the south to just north of Kaikoura with the southern Alps being our border on the west.
We don’t have an office; the family support team and our support services coordinator each work from home for Heart Kids Canterbury and are supported by a great committee. We network with other charities and organisations and have a close relationship with our superb CDHB. We have been providing support since around 1991 and have always been a very active branch.
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