Heartbeat of Football Foundation Receives Grant for Heart Health Programs

The Heartbeat of Football Foundation has been awarded an additional grant of $150,000 by the NSW Government to extend its community sport-focused heart health programs in regional NSW until 2026. This funding will support the '#HeartHealthMatters - Community + Sport' project, which aims to raise awareness about heart health and offer preventive screenings at local sports grounds.

The initiative acknowledges the significant role sports play in promoting community development, healthy lifestyles, and social change. By investing in these programs, regional communities in NSW can flourish and become more resilient.

The NSW Sports Minister emphasized the importance of integrating community, sport, and health to shape regional communities positively. The Foundation, through its Heartbeat of Football and Heartbeat of Sport initiatives, has conducted over 12,000 heart health screenings and provided CPR training to more than 1500 individuals nationwide.

Founder Andrew Paschalidis expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from the NSW Government, highlighting the impact of the funding in delivering heart health checks to underserved groups and reducing health disparities in regional areas.

The '#HeartHealthMatters - Community + Sport' project aims to conduct screenings for key risk factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol at local sports grounds. Additionally, CPR and AED training sessions will be organized to boost bystander confidence in responding to cardiac emergencies.

The Heartbeat of Football Foundation is dedicated to creating healthier and safer communities by spreading awareness about heart health, encouraging positive health choices, and backing life-saving research. Through these endeavors, communities are empowered to tackle heart health challenges collectively.