HeartKids’ ambassadors play a vital role in helping to raise awareness in the media and the community and promoting the work of HeartKids. We are so grateful for all the time and support they provide for us.
Read about our dedicated ambassadors below:
Andrew Gaff
AFL Player, West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles star and HeartKids ambassador is an amazing supporter of HeartKids and the work we do. He is always happy to talk to our community and encourages the young ones to reach for their goals.
Mark and Jay O’Shea
Australian country music duo
Mark and Jay have been amazing supporters of HeartKids for many years. Mark is from Dalby in Queensland and is a heart kid. Jay is from Adelaide and they live together in Nashville, Tennessee where they produce their music and raise their gorgeous child.
David Strassman
Entertainer
David has been entertaining children and adults alike and joined HeartKids to bring some much-needed smiles to our HeartKids community with his sidekick Ted E Bare. He is a great advocate of our community and his audiences forget that it's actually a one-man show!
Gyton Grantley
Actor
Gyton will be a familiar face to many and you may have seen him on a number of popular Australian TV shows including "Underbelly" and "House Husbands" and recently a new mini-series "Informer".
Gyton has also appeared as Harry Potter's best friend, Ron Weasley, in the Australian production of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" in Melbourne. Gyton along with the cast from the show read chapters from the Harry Potter books to our HeartKids community during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Gyton has a connection to HeartKids as he is the cousin of Heart Angel Mikey's Mum Melissa. Mikey sadly lost his short battle with CHD in 2016 and will always be remembered as a strong warrior with the biggest smile.
Hayley Raso
Football Star, Matildas
Hayley Raso is an Australian football player, currently playing for Everton in the English FA Women’s Super League. Raso has set up residence in the UK, where she is pursuing her dream of playing club and international football. Hayley has also played for Australia’s national team, the Matildas, since 2012.
Hayley became an official HeartKids ambassador in 2021 after witnessing firsthand, the impact that congenital heart disease has had on her family after her brother Lachlan was diagnosed with the disease.
Jaidyn Stephenson
AFL Player, North Melbourne
North Melbourne AFL Player and Heart Kid Jaidyn has been an amazing advocate for heart kids as he inspires them to be the best they can be. Giving up lost of his time to meet our community, host fundraising lunches and always happy to front the media and speak about his journey.
Kennedy Cherrington
WNRL Player, Parramatta Eels & NSW Blues
Roosters and NSW Blues Player and Heart Kid Kennedy has recently joined HeartKids to help inspire other young people to be the best they can be. Originally diagnosed with a leaky valve at age 3 she has been determined not to let her congenital heart disease define her but wears it as a badge of honour.
Simon Reeve
Entertainer
Media presenter and heart dad Simon is very passionate about HeartKids and is always helping us raise awareness of congenital or acquired heart disease. Simon has been a long-time advocate and an amazing supporter of HeartKids.
Sarah Blackmore
Australian Ninja Warrior
Sarah supports HeartKids for a cause that is close to her heart, as she is an aunt to a heart child Toby. Sarah has been a dedicated advocate of HeartKids. Recently, she even participated as a volunteer at the Two Feet & A Heartbeat Melbourne 2023.
Ross Wallman
TV Presenter
Ross has been in media for over 15 years and is currently the morning announcer on Nova 93.7. His son Oliver had multiple surgeries at PCH before he was one. Ross understands the importance of what HeartKids do for the families involved. Ross is a big fan of the whole HeartKids community, and he has generously given up his time to be the master of ceremonies for the Gala Ball, Family Camp, Hero for HeartKids, and most recently, the Two Feet & A Heartbeat event in Perth.
Adam Densten
TV Personality; Podcaster
Adam has been an advocate and supporter of HeartKids for a long time. The motivation for choosing HeartKids is his sister Kelli, who was born with a heart murmur. Early 2023, Adam took the Melbourne City Plunge and abseiled off the roof of 555 Bourke Street to raise funds and awareness for HeartKids.