Show your big heart

 

Volunteer in the Big Heart Appeal street collection on Friday 27 or Saturday 28 February and help make a vital difference.

 

Register now

Why volunteer in the Big Heart Appeal?

 

Getting involved in the Big Heart Appeal is a fun and easy way to make a life-saving impact.

For just two (or more) hours of your time on Friday 27 and/or Saturday 28 February, you can help raise funds to support leading-edge heart research, helping to save Kiwi lives.

 

Register now

Two women with donation buckets together out on the street talking to the public about heart health and support for the heart foundation.

Get involved with your workplace

 

Rally your colleagues together a good cause.

You and your team can be workplace heroes. Host a fundraiser or volunteer as a group in the Big Heart Appeal street collection to help keep Kiwi families together, for longer.

 

Learn more

Meet our volunteers

It’s heartwarming to see how many amazing people come together, for all across the country, to volunteer in the Big Heart Appeal street collection. Since heart disease can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, many of our big-hearted volunteers have been personally impacted. You can read their inspiring stories here:

Making the most of retirement with a great cause in mind

 

Wellington-based Adrian has made it a personal goal to use his retirement for good. Since experiencing his own heart attack five years ago, he now gifts his time in the Big Heart Appeal street collection, with the hope of helping others.

 

Read Adrian's story

Person standing in front of a scenic waterfall with rocky cliffs and lush greenery outdoors.
Older man with grey hair wearing a dark short-sleeved shirt and khaki shorts sitting on an outdoor wooden bench in a leafy garden café with people relaxing and socializing in the background

A twenty-year journey with heart disease drives Dean’s dedication

 

Since being diagnosed with a heart condition in 1999, Mairangi Bay local Dean has seen firsthand the positive change that heart research has made possible. Now, it’s his mission as an Area Coordinator in the Big Heart Appeal street collection to make even more of an impact.

 

Read Dean's story

From caring practice nurse to big-hearted volunteer

 

Throughout her thirty-year career looking after others, Diane has seen the impact heart disease has on New Zealanders. Now, following her own diagnosis, she knows exactly how important it is to support life-saving heart research.

 

Read Diane's story

Two women standing outdoors in a garden, one wearing a solid red blouse, and the other wearing a colorful floral patterned red and pink dress, with lush greenery and trees in the background.
Smiling older man wearing glasses and a light blue polo shirt sitting outdoors next to blooming pink flowers and green plants with a wooden fence background.

From venerated teacher to thoughtful volunteer

 

An 85% blockage in a major artery changed Philip’s life forever. Gone were his busy days of teaching in schools across Auckland. Instead, he and his wife started a new chapter together in Matamata – a town that Philip considers the epitome of warmth and generosity.

 

Read Philip's story

A kind heart in the Kāpiti Coast

 

Joan is taking part in the Big Heart Appeal street collection this coming February to prevent others from going through a heart attack like her own.

 

Read Joan's story

Woman with short blonde hair wearing striped shirt and necklace standing in a garden with lavender and greenery in front of a white house.
Senior woman with white hair standing outdoors in front of scenic greenery and mountains, wearing a patterned blue blouse and green stone necklace.

A changed outlook on life with the desire to make a difference

 

After being diagnosed with heart disease in 2017, Kay had a revelation: life is short, spend your time wisely. From then onwards, she was determined to make the most of her days – including getting involved in the Big Heart Appeal street collection.

 

Read Kay's story

An ultra quick stent left John with a long-lived aspiration to pay it forward

 

When John suffered a completely unexpected heart attack, he was blown away with the efficiency and care of the medical team who treated him. Seeing just what an amazing impact health professionals make, he was inspired to give back in the Big Heart Appeal street collection.

 

Read John's story

Man in blue fishing shirt and hat holding large king mackerel fish on boat with ocean background, fishing trip catch of the day.
Senior woman in blue striped shirt standing in front of green grass and scenic coastal view with trees, stone wall, and blue sky.

From shock diagnosis to selfless efforts

 

Never in a thousand years did Christine expect her tonsillectomy to lead to an out-of-the-blue heart condition diagnosis. She kept fit by walking every day, ate well and looked after her health. It’s her personal experience that inspired her to support the Big Heart Appeal street collection. 

 

Read Christine's story