Over 100 ViVO and ViVO Essentials stores across NI will begin fundraising and raising awareness for Children’s Heartbeat Trust, after being named their new charity partner.
There are 109 ViVO and ViVO Essentials retailers nestled in the heart of communities across Northern Ireland, all independently owned locally. The partnership kicked off at Easter with a hamper raffle packed with eggs and treats.
The charity, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, is the leading children’s charity focused on supporting children and young people with congenital heart disease and their families across Northern Ireland. Its mission is to ensure every child with heart disease is supported at every stage of their journey.
Last year, it granted over £110,000 of financial support to 216 families who needed to travel outside of Northern Ireland for surgery or who had an extended stay in hospital, as well as providing emotional bedside support to over 300 children and their families while they were in hospital.
Children’s Heartbeat Trust has provided integral support to Belfast family, Clare Kane (above right), partner David Rogan and their children Erin (above) and Eoin. Erin was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and at just five years old has already had five open heart surgeries and numerous procedures. The family had to travel to Birmingham for all of Erin’s surgeries and treatments and most of her first year was spent in and out of hospital.
Clare said: “We’re extremely grateful for everything Children’s Heartbeat Trust has done to help us on our journey. It was such a relief to know they were there, and you weren’t alone. They provided us with the opportunity to meet other families going through a similar journey which was extremely helpful.”
ViVO’s fundraising calendar will continue throughout this first year with employees from the stores engaging in a number of activities including an Abseil and ViVO’s Golf Day in June. World Heart Day in September will see a huge push on fundraising and awareness thanks to the partnership, and the year will end with cheer and some Jolly Jumpers for Christmas.
Bronagh Luke (above left) from ViVO NI says the partnership is an opportunity for shoppers and the wider public to learn more about Children’s Heartbeat Trust thanks to their large network of stores throughout Northern Ireland. “Children’s Heartbeat Trust is a local charity that resonates with our retailers, employees and shoppers. They have supported thousands of children with heart diseases and their families over the years, and unfortunately, each year another 200 children are diagnosed with heart disease in Northern Ireland.
“We’re incredibly proud to be able to engage our network of stores and teams with the charity, helping them to raise their profile even more in Northern Ireland, and contribute financial support from our fundraising efforts towards their vital services.”
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