Saturday 18 October to Tuesday 4 November, 2025

Media Release

HeartKids’ annual Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk is back from Sunday 12 October to Tuesday 4 November in 29 locations around Australia.

HeartKids is encouraging Aussies to walk 4km in honour of the four lives lost each week to childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) or 8km to mark the eight babies born each day in Australia, with a heart condition.

All funds raised will be used to increase accessibility to HeartKids support services and programs in hospitals, across communities and in rural and regional areas.

HeartKids CEO Marcus Sandmann says Two Feet & A Heartbeat is an important walk for the 250,000 children, teens and adults and a larger number of family members and carers that have been affected by CoHD.

“I encourage you to join Two Feet & A Heartbeat and walk with us to support our heart families with in-hospital services, family support programs and other vital resources,” said Mr Sandmann.

“Two Feet & A Heartbeat brings together families, friends and volunteers to remember those who have passed away from childhood-onset heart disease as well as celebrate children living with a heart condition. It is an event that raises awareness and hope for the families that are affected by heart disease,” said Mr Sandmann.

Community support is vital for HeartKids to be able to provide its range of support services including camps, financial assistance, education days, peer support programs and ongoing help for heart families to manage the impact of this lifelong condition.

HeartKids encourages all Australians to take part by:

· Walking four or eight kms at one of the 31 events around Australia

· Walking via the virtual event anytime and anywhere that suits

· Getting sponsored by friends, family and workmates

· Donating to Heartkids

· Sponsoring a walker

Two Feet & A Heartbeat will be taking place nationwide at these locations:

ACT

Canberra – Sunday 19th October

NSW

Randwick - Sunday 12 October

Manly – Sunday 19 October

Kiama - Sunday 19 October

Lake Macquarie - Sunday 26 October

Bathurst – Sunday 2 November

Sydney Olympic Park - Sunday 2 November

QLD

Brisbane - Sunday 12 October

Rockhampton - Sunday 12 October

Townsville – Sunday 12 October

Cairns - Sunday 12 October

Mackay - Sunday 19 October

Ipswich - Sunday 19 October

Gold Coast – Saturday 18 October

Sunshine Coast - Sunday 19 October

SA

Moonta - Sunday 12 October

Adelaide - Sunday 19 October

TAS
Hobart - Sunday 19 October

VIC

Mildura - Saturday 11 October

Ballarat - Sunday 12 October

Melbourne - Sunday 19 October

Frankston - Saturday 25 October

Geelong - Sunday 26 October

WA

Albany – Sunday 12 October

Bunbury - Sunday 12 October

Geraldton - Sunday 12 October

Kalgoorlie - Sunday 19 October

Broome – Saturday 25 October

Perth - Sunday 2 Novembe

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About childhood-onset heart disease

Childhood-onset heart disease is a lifelong condition that often encompasses periods of fluctuating health, periods of developmental, educational, relational and occupational transition, and periods of uncertainty, medical decision-making, information processing, adversity and adjustment.

Key statistics:

· Four young lives are lost every week.

· Eight babies are born each day with a heart condition.

· Childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) places a significant burden on an estimated 250,000 Australian children, teens and adults and a larger number of family members and carers (prevalence based on known incidence of CHD, AIHW, 2019), with an estimated 1,000,000 Australians touched by CoHD.

· The total economic burden associated with CoHD is estimated at $2.292 billion dollars per annum, including an approximate GDP loss of $12.89 million annually (Sapere, 2024).

· People with CoHD are at a greater risk of neurodevelopmental impairment and disability including developmental delay and other learning difficulties.

· CoHD poses a substantial economic burden on people impacted by the conditions, Australia’s healthcare system, educational institutions, the workforce and the broader economy.

About HeartKids

HeartKids is the only Australian charity dedicated to providing lifelong support, resources, and advocacy for the 250,000 people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD). HeartKids provide connection and care informed by lived-experience to ensure no one faces this journey alone.

For nearly 50 years, HeartKids has been dedicated to providing advocacy, support and information, working to reach every Australian family impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD).

For more information please visit https://www.heartkids.org.au/

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