The main role of Heartbeat is to raise much needed money for the cardiac ward at the Whyalla Hospital.
Two of the volunteers for Heartbeat came in to talk with the Whyalla News about what it is like to work for this organisation. Marylin Johns, who is the secretary, has been involved with Heartbeat for over 20 years and Margaret Shambrook, the treasurer, has been involved for just over three years. Heartbeat has been involved in a number of charity events over the past 30 years and has raised over $400,000 worth of medical equipment for the Cardiac ward at the Whyalla hospital. All the money raised in Whyalla stays in Whyalla, as all the sub branches of Heartbeat have their own money resources. The Heartbeat Foundation has put on a number of shows in the hope of raising money including the ever-popular ‘Dancing with the Stars’ night, which last year raised over $10,000. Along with these nights they have also held raffles, badge days, other dancing balls and dinner dances.
The way heartbeat works is that the hospital sends them a wish list with vital equipment that is needed on there, Heartbeat then hold a fundraiser to try and raise enough money to be able to purchase what they need.