After her cousin died in infancy with a hole in his heart, eight-year-old Maleah Black made a decision.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I just want to save people's hearts," said the Ashmont Public School student.
On Wednesday, her school took part in the annual Heart Foundation Jump Rope For Heart event.
So far this term, the school has racked up 22 hours of skipping with a 45 minute session each week and a full day of skipping on Wednesday.
Across cash and online donations the school smashed their previous year's fundraising total with $3810 this year.
"For a small school, that's a huge amount and especially being in 2020 when everyone has been struggling a little. It's a thrill to have increased from last year," said acting assistant principal and event organiser Kate Steyn.
Maleah was among the highest fundraisers helped by her uncle and her "second family" at Kapooka Army Base.
"Mum works at the army base so she's been [getting donations]. The army people are like my family," Maleah said.
"Mum started me skipping because she gave me a skipping rope and then my uncle gave me a lot of money [towards the fundraiser]."