Partnership raises awareness of children’s charity in heart of County Down community
Over 100 ViVo and ViVo Essentials stores across NI have begun fundraising and raising awareness for Children’s Heartbeat Trust, after being named the retailers’ new charity partner, earlier this year.
Children’s Heartbeat Trust has provided integral support to Newry family Michaela and Patrick Graham and their son Finnley. Finnley was born in October 2023 and was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a heart condition with four specific cardiac defects and spent more than four months in hospital until he was stable enough to have surgery in Dublin.
Finnley’s dad Patrick has spoken of the unrivalled care they have received from Children’s Heartbeat Trust, from providing a listening ear for the whole family, to offering all kinds of support, Patrick stated that the charity “were there through it all”.
Patrick continued, “Finnley had his open-heart surgery in March last year and he’s progressing well in his milestones. Finnley’s journey has been one of the hardest times of our lives, but Children’s Heartbeat Trust has helped us in so many ways, emotionally, practically and financially.
“We were able to benefit from music therapy on the ward and baby massage to help us bond with Finnley whilst he was long term in hospital in Belfast. They also provided us with accommodation which became our second home and enabled us to stay by Finnley’s side.
“We will never forget the charity giving Finnley his first Christmas gift in hospital, it meant so much to us.”
Last year, the family wanted to give back for all the incredible support Children’s Heartbeat Trust has provided, so Patrick and his brother completed a skydive to help raise funds for the charity on World Heart Day, Patrick explained: “We could never repay them for all their support and generosity and for making our journey that little bit easier.”
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.
Their mission is to ensure that every child with heart disease is supported at every stage of their journey through high-quality, inclusive, clinical, practical, and emotional support.
Last year, Children’s Heartbeat Trust 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 provided emotional bedside support to over 300 children, and their families, while they were in hospital.
There are 109 ViVO and ViVO Essentials retailers nestled in the heart of communities across Northern Ireland, all independently owned locally.
Staff from the stores have been engaging in a number of activities including an Abseil and ViVO’s Golf Day in June. World Heart Day on 29th 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 from ViVO NI says this 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, staff 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 are incredibly proud to be able to engage our network of stores and teams of staff 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.
“This is a valued and beloved charity and we’re delighted to build this partnership to have a positive impact going forward with ViVO and ViVO Essentials stores.”
Lynn Cowan, Fundraising Manager from Children’s Heartbeat Trust added: “Children’s Heartbeat Trust is thrilled to partner with ViVO and ViVO Essentials, well-known and respected brands across Northern Ireland and in the heart of the community where our families live.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring great visibility to the charity and help raise key awareness around the need for support services for local children with heart disease.
“We hope communities across NI will embrace this partnership and we look forward to working with retailers, ViVO shoppers and staff to raise vital funds and awareness through stores so that we can continue providing practical, emotional and financial support for families long into the future.’’
To find out more about ViVO and ViVO Essentials and their partnership with Children’s Heartbeat Trust, visit:
