A market for the heart

A variety of market stalls, a jumping castle and appearances by Paw Patrol and Wiggles characters will be on offer at Lardner on Saturday.

Baw Baw Towns of Heart Awareness Market organiser Narelle Fowler said the inaugural event was family and community orientated. All proceeds will go to Heartkids and Tetoora Road Community Centre.

It will be held at Lardner Memorial Park – opposite Lardner and District Primary School – from 9am to 2pm. Entry is via gold coin donation.

Sure to be a winner amongst the children will be the appearance of “Chase” from Paw Patrol from 1pm to 2pm and “Dorothy the Dinosaur” from The Wiggles between 11.30am and 12.30pm.

A jumping castle will offer plenty of fun together with market stalls and raffles. A sausage sizzle will be run by Pakenham Pony Rescue.

Ms Fowler joined a Heartkids skydive challenge and the market will help raise her required $1000 pledge.

Heartkids, which supports families and funds research into childhood heart disease, is a cause close to her heart.

Narelle and Darren Fowler’s fiveyear-old son Jackson is a Heartkid. Jackson was born with a deformed heart and has undergone four heart operations in his short life.

However, 2018 is set to be a year of celebration for the family as Jackson starts prep at Lardner and District Primary School.

“That is like a dream for us,” said Narelle. “We never thought he’d make school. It’s a bit of a celebration.”

Ms Fowler said Heartkids “have been fantastic” with support on offer at doctor appointments as well as holding parent morning teas during hospital stays.

Most importantly, they fund research which could prove vital to Jackson and his health in future years.

The market is also raising funds for the “Connecting Kids in the Community” program offered at Tetoora Road Community Centre.

For further information, visit the Baw Baw Towns of Heart Awareness Market’s Facebook page.