Castle Hill RSL Group (CHRG) marked this Valentine’s Day with a Sweetheart Day initiative, demonstrating its commitment to heart health awareness and supporting those impacted by congenital heart disease (CHD).

CHRG’s dedication to heart health advocacy began in January 2020 when Greg Page of The Wiggles suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a reunion concert at the club’s Lyceum Theatre. Quick action by staff using a defibrillator saved his life, inspiring the club to champion heart health initiatives.

This commitment grew further in August 2020, when Matt Bailey, General Manager of Lynwood Golf, faced his daughter Harriet’s diagnosis of congenital heart defects, including Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). At just eight days old, Harriet underwent open-heart surgery. During this challenging time, HeartKids provided crucial support to the Bailey family.

HeartKids, Australia’s only national non-profit dedicated to CHD, supports “heart families” by offering care bags, financial assistance, parent education, and community programs. The organisation’s mission addresses a significant need, as eight babies are born daily with CHD in Australia.

CHRG has expanded its efforts to support heart health by partnering with Greg Page and Castle Hill Police to equip first responder vehicles with defibrillators. Additionally, the club participated in the HeartKids “Two Feet and a Heartbeat” walk and hosted Lynwood’s inaugural HeartKids Charity Golf Day.

Through initiatives like Heartbeat of Football’s heart health testing sessions, CHRG continues to foster a healthier, more compassionate community, one heartbeat at a time.