The Heart Foundation is offering Whanganui residents an opportunity to kick-start a happier 2018 by taking part in its Big Heart Appeal street collection next month.
Heart disease is New Zealand's single biggest killer, claiming the lives of more than 6000 New Zealanders every year – that's one person every 90 minutes.
MidCentral heart health advocate Sally Darragh said collectors will help stop New Zealanders dying prematurely of the disease and raise awareness in the process.
"We really need people to hit the streets of the Whanganui region to collect life-saving funds, while enjoying the opportunity to be out in their community doing good," she said.
"It is, however, sobering to think that during the short period of time that a volunteer will be out collecting donations, at least one New Zealander will have died of heart disease."