Two Feet & A Heartbeat 2026 News Clipping:
Originally posted 22/10/2026 in the Broome Advertiser
Levi Minshull had lifesaving heart surgery at 11 days old. This month he and his family will join HeartKids’ Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk at Cable Beach.
Broome residents are being encouraged to put on their walking shoes this month as HeartKids’ annual Two Feet & A Heartbeat community walk comes to Cable Beach.
The fundraiser supports children, adults and families living with childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD). It is a nationwide campaign that gives communities the chance to celebrate milestones, share stories, raise awareness and honour lives cut far too short.
Every day in Australia, eight babies are born with a heart condition, and many more will acquire one during childhood. About 250,000 Australians are living with CoHD.
Levi Minshull was just one day old when a heart murmur led to a CoHD diagnosis.
At 11 days old, he underwent lifesaving heart surgery, followed by 24 nights in hospital, far from his family’s home in Broome.
This month, Levi and his family will join the HeartKids community at the walk.
His mum, Rosalyn, reflected on his journey, the challenges of navigating care far from home, and the support the family received.
“Being away from our home, family and support network while caring for our newborn baby was incredibly difficult,” she said.
“This event is really important and a good way for all of the heart families in Broome to get together and know that our children are not alone.”
Rosalyn said HeartKids provided vital support.
“HeartKids helped us feel seen and supported during one of the most challenging times of our lives,” she said.
“The kindness they showed our family is something we will always be grateful for, and it’s one of the reasons we’re so proud to support HeartKids today.
“The main goal is awareness and fundraising, and we’re happy to support the walk for the next family that has to go through what we went through.”
HeartKids chief executive Samantha Glastonbury said the walk was a day when affected families and the community could stand together.
“Every heart has a story. Every person who walks with us is showing children, young people, adults and families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease that they are not walking this journey alone,” she said.
“Whether you are a heart kid, heart adult, heart parent, grandparent, sibling, friend, supporter, healthcare professional or someone walking in memory of a loved one, this day is for you.
“Every step honours a heart story, and every heartbeat reminds us why we walk.”
