Two Feet & A Heartbeat 2026 News Clipping:
Originally posted 19/10/2026 in The Daily Telegraph
The 10-year-old, who had open-heart surgery at three days old, joined more than 100 walkers at Dee Why Beach for HeartKids’ Two Feet & A Heartbeat.
Emergency surgery fixed her most vital organ as a baby, and now Amelie York is determined to put her heart into helping other sick kids.
The 10-year-old northern beaches girl and her family, including dog Angel, joined more than 100 people who walked along Dee Why Beach yesterday as part of the annual Two Feet & A Heartbeat fundraising campaign.
The campaign is run by HeartKids, a charity that supports the families of children with heart disease.
Her family knows just how important that support can be. Amelie failed a routine newborn check in hospital when she was just 24 hours old.
She was diagnosed with a critical congenital heart defect within hours and underwent open-heart surgery at just three days old.
A decade on, Amelie has all the appearance of an average 10-year-old who loves touch footy, playing the piano and climbing trees.
But some challenges with her immune system remain, and her mother, Sharon York, said being part of a supportive and understanding community was key to the fight.
“We appreciate HeartKids’ support for things like events that bring families together, because that’s such a nice way to create connection,” Ms York said.
“Even for the kids that have surgery and are considered repaired, it doesn’t really end there. There’s always some challenges that we’re going to face throughout their lives.”
Almost 3000 walkers were registered yesterday for Two Feet & A Heartbeat events, which will continue across the country until the end of October.
By yesterday, this month’s events had already raised $245,000, but HeartKids chief executive Samantha Glastonbury said they were also about creating awareness and community.
“When someone comes along with a baby and sees a toddler, child, or teen, it also provides hope,” she said.
