Year 11 student Chloe Peck, the newly commissioned Service Leader, organised a sausage sizzle to raise money for HeartKids Australia.

HeartKids Australia provides help and support for families with someone living with a childhood heart disease.

This is a cause that is close to Chloe’s heart as her youngest sister, Emma Peck, was one of the eight children born every day with a heart defect. 

Emma was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which is one of the most serious cardiac malformations and leads to death in almost all affected babies unless surgery or a heart transplant can be offered.

Emma’s condition has meant numerous Sydney hospital visits which has come at great cost to the Peck family. 

Chloe’s mum Kerrie Peck said she was extremely proud of her daughter. 

“I am very proud of her always thinking about her sister Emma and the many people she has met now through HeartKids camp,” Ms Peck said. “Heart kids means so much for all of my family.”

Operating as sous-chef on the barbecue was Chloe’s grandfather Paul James, who volunteered his time to help with the fundraiser.

“Paul offered to help at the barbecue like he offered to look after my three girls whilst I was away for eight months with Emma when she was critical at six months of age,” Ms Peck said.

HeartKids provides lifelong support to those with childhood heart disease as well as funding research and promoting awareness through educational initiatives.

HeartKids does not receive government funding.

“Without fundraising and donations Heartkids can’t give kids and their families the chance to met up and talk over their experiences,” Ms Peck said.

To donate see https://www.heartkids.org.au/.