Heart charity's cool support

Michelle Cresswell, mother of an @heart child, said she would do anything to support this charity. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua locals dressed up and spent their Sunday sitting in sub-zero water to raise funds for a worthy cause.

Dubbed the Heartstopper Challenge, the fundraising event for children with heart conditions saw participants gain sponsors and then stay submerged in ice cold water for five minutes while spectators watched on.

Chairwoman for the @heart trust, Debbie Scothern, said when a child underwent open heart surgery, the organ was surrounded by ice for five hours while doctors operated and was the inspiration for the challenge.

Miss Scothern said she was pleased with the turnout.

"More people than expected have turned up in both support and to participate so we are all very happy."

"The challenge is about getting our charity out there and doing what we can to raise money for the @heart families."

Around 12 babies a week are born around New Zealand with heart conditions and need to undergo open heart surgery.

The @heart charity is looking after 92 heart families in Rotorua and Miss Scothern said there was probably more they didn't know about.

"We don't just look after babies born with heart conditions, we also take care of children who develop conditions like rheumatic heart disease."

Michelle Cresswell knows better than most how much work @heart does for children and families living with heart conditions.

Her 7-year-old son, Brodie, has the rare heart condition Scimital Syndrome and had open heart surgery just before his fifth birthday.

"I can't say enough about @heart. They are there for you through the whole journey."

Mrs Cresswell said she would take part again.

"I had a couple of cold showers in preparation but it didn't really cut the mustard," she laughed.

"Sitting in freezing water is nothing compared to what the children go through so I do it all for them."