On Friday 5 June, Nathan Stafford, founder of Nathan’s Lawns and Gardens, will walk 45 kilometres while pushing a lawn mower from Campbelltown Sports Stadium to Leichhardt Oval, raising funds and awareness for families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD).
Nathan’s goal is to raise $450,000 for HeartKids, a cause deeply connected to his own family’s journey.
His son Benji was born with Pulmonary Valve Stenosis and underwent open-heart surgery on the first day of his life. Benji will require further open-heart surgery in the future.
“I’m very scared because that’s my son. I love him. I don’t wanna see him suffer,” Nathan shared in a recent video to his followers.
Nathan has spoken openly about the impact HeartKids had on his family during Benji’s three-month hospital stay and why he feels compelled to give back.
“HeartKids helped me through my journey when my son spent three months in hospital for open-heart surgery,” he said.
In sharing his experience, Nathan spoke about the practical and emotional support HeartKids provides to families every day across Australia, including in-hospital support, counselling, the HeartKids Helpline, pantry and essential care items for families during hospital stays, and connection with staff who have lived experience themselves.
“Sixty percent of these workers are actual HeartKids parents, so they get it better than anyone. They’ve been there. They have lived it,” Nathan said.
HeartKids CEO Sami Glastonbury said Nathan’s story reflects what so many families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease experience behind hospital doors every day.
“As a Heart Mum, hearing Nathan speak so openly about the fear and uncertainty that comes with watching your child go through heart surgery really hits home,” Sami said.
“When families are suddenly thrown into this world, it can feel incredibly overwhelming. That’s why HeartKids exists. To make sure families feel supported, connected and understood by people who get it.
“What Nathan is doing for the HeartKids community is incredibly generous. The awareness and funds he is raising through this walk will help more families feel seen, while showing more Australians the reality of childhood-onset heart disease and why support like this matters.”
Funds raised through Nathan’s walk will help HeartKids continue delivering support for families from diagnosis and hospital stays through to life beyond hospital, including practical information, emotional support, peer connection and national support services.
Nathan’s walk will finish at Leichhardt Oval, a place he says became an important outlet for him during Benji’s hospital stay.
“Real stuff’s going on in those hospitals and supporting these kids and families. That’s the real important stuff,” he said.
