Heart Squad ticking along nicely

Neil Wagstaff will be joined by 5-year-old Cam and 7-year-old Ellen for the big-hearted trailblazer.

Peak Trailblazer's efforts to raise money for Heart Kids Hawke's Bay are set to get a boost this year

Heart Squad was set up to specifically fundraise for Heart Kids Hawke's Bay and their efforts will add to what the trailblazer event on November 19 pulls in.

Organiser Jo Throp said the Peak Trailblazer raised funds for Havelock North Primary School and this year was also backing Heart Kids and the Hastings Giants Boxing Academy as they had last year.

What they raised for Heart Kids would be boosted by what the Heart Squad, through their Givealittle pages, manage to collect. And a check of the site showed their efforts were beating strong with about $2500 pledged so far.

"There's more arriving daily."

Ms Throp sparked up the group a few months ago as a special heart fundraising part of the trailblazer and at this stage there are 16 members.

"It was set up to raise a little more over and above what we can donate from the running of the event, and also to help give a little more profile to the recipient, many of whom we see struggling with this aspect," Ms Throp said.

Several of those in the squad have a personal connection with heart health issues, through a family member.

Then there are people like Neil Wagstaff, who runs Peak Fitness and Health in Havelock North, who had no hesitation in getting aboard as a gold sponsor after Ms Throp explained what the squad was all about.

"It is such a great event and it is a great way to give back and to help provide for these families who need the support of Heart Kids," he said.

It will be his third Peak Trailblazer since the family arrived back in Hawke's Bay after a few years in Wellington.

"It is just a great thing to be involved in and everyone does it for the same good reason - to help the community."

His 7-year-old daughter Ellen and 5-year-old son Cam are also taking part and will tackle the 3.5km Tainui course.

Both attend Havelock North Primary and are part of the "Chuggs" running group run by Ms Throp.

The Wagstaffs, or Waggys as they appear on their Givealittle Peak Trailblazer site, will be joined by other keen Heart Kids squad supporters like father and daughter Pete and Ivy Ashdown, and mum and daughter Kirsty and Evie Skidmore.

The Peak Fundraiser has raised more than $124,000 in its eight years, with online running magazine Running Plus describing it as "the little event with the big heart".