Kids @Heart Ride

Entry Fee $22

Option 1: Escort rider is an entrant in the event

• Open to all children aged 10 years or under
• Ride approx 5 km from Rainbow Point (opposite Ploughman's Restaurant) into town accompanied by a cycle challenge entrant completing their event
• Kids @Heart Riders start when their accompanying rider pulls into the transition area to collect them
• Kids @Heart Riders must be escorted by an adult rider (aged 18 or over) who must be an entrant in the Cycle Challenge. The escort is to be fully responsible for the Heart Rider. Another adult must transport the Heart Rider to the Ploughman’s Restaurant, and then stay until the escort arrives to take over responsibility.
• An adult Cycle Challenge entrant may accompany more than one Kids @Heart Rider

Opition 2: Escort rider is not an entrant in the event

• Open to all children aged 10 years or under
• Ride approx 5 km from Rainbow Point (opposite Ploughman's Restaurant) into town accompanied by an adult (over 18yrs) cyclist.
• A $2 or $5 donation must be made to @Heart for the accompanying adult on the Kids @Heart rider entry form. 
• Kids @Heart Rider and escort must arrive at start and commence ride between 2.30pm and 3.30pm
• The escort is to be fully responsible for the Heart Rider. 
• An escort may accompany more than one Kids @Heart Rider

 

Both options qualify for:
• Special prize draw for Kids @Heart Riders only
• Electronic disposable timing device which is built into the bike sticker 
• Complete a separate entry form and name the adult who will be your escort
• No vehicles are to be driven alongside the Heart Rider
• Not eligible for the major spot prizes

@Heart 3d w tagline.jpg @Heart is proud to be the official charity of the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. We think it is a fabulous way to get your children active and involved in cycling at an early age.  Heart Rider.jpg

We would love to have your kids join the @Heart  team this Cycle Challenge! Set up a fundraising page and the money they raise will go directly to support children and families overwhelmed by childhood heart disease. Children at home in towns around New Zealand, children in hospital and children who dream that they too may one day be well enough to ride at such a prestigious cycling event. Simply click here to set up a fundraising page or to receive an fundraising pack email Emma.

Why do we have the kids’ ride @Heart?
Each year the kids’ ride @Heart (formerly the Heart Ride) is held for all kids aged 10 yrs and under. It reminds us of the many children in NZ who live with a lifelong heart condition, and the difficult journey they and their families travel. These children face trips to hospital in Auckland, lots of medications & medical procedures, and often open heart surgery when they are very young. These kids are our kids@Heart and they show a huge strength in the face of adversity. The kids’ ride @Heart honours all of the kids and families@Heart, and their determination and strength. 

What makes a Heart Rider?
Heart Riders are kids who help other kids. They understand that there are other kids in NZ that need some extra support, and they choose to help. They come up with ways to earn some money, like doing extra chores, or holding a bake sale with mum or dad, then they donate the money they’ve raised to help improve the lives of kids and families@Heart.
Heart Riders are pretty special kids.

What is the @Heart Heart Rider Team?
There are another group of very special kids who do this ride. They are a group of kids@Heart who take up the challenge of riding 5kms. Each year they ride as a team, helping each other. This year their siblings@Heart are riding too, as siblings play a very important part in the life of a heart child. It’s sometimes hard to spot a heart child, but sometimes, when their heart isn’t working so well, their lips might go a little blue. And often kids@Heart have ’zipper’ or ’shark bite’ scars from their surgery. The kids in the @Heart Heart Rider Team have all been helped through their lives by the money raised from events like the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, and now they are riding to help other kids@Heart just like them.

What does @Heart do?
@Heart is the only organisation dedicated to providing lifelong care to everyone affected by a congenital (from birth) heart condition. @Heart also provides care to kids whose hearts get sick when they are little, often from a virus or Rheumatic Fever. @Heart has family support workers all over NZ that know what it’s like to be part of a family@Heart, and they can offer a listening ear and a comforting word when things get a bit scary. We have family support workers who visit the kids in the heart ward (ward 23B) at Starship Hospital, and make sure that the kids and families have everything they need. Sometimes kids come to 23B on Life Flight and they don’t have time to pack a bag or bring their toothbrush, so the family support workers have lots of toilet bags and nappies (for the babies) and books, and toys, and other things to make their stay a bit easier. And sometimes only one parent can come to 23B with their heart child, so @Heart will pay for the other parent or another family member to come to Auckland on a plane to be at the hospital too. It’s best when we can keep families together!!!
 
Good luck with the training, we look forward to cheering you on in Taupo!