WVLX has decided to assist the HeartKids organistion, which supports children, teens and adults throughout Australia affected by congenital heart disease (CHD), because of the help it has given WVLX manager Tim Nowell’s daughter, Ella, and the rest of his family.

At just three months of age, Mr Nowell’s middle daughter Ella underwent open heart surgery after being diagnosed with CHD, the first of three open heart surgeries she would undergo within two years. 

The HeartKids organisation organised accommodation and counselling support for Mr Nowell, his wife Hannah and their eldest daughter Georgie during Ella’s time in hospital, as well as on an ongoing basis because the disease is incurable. 

“HeartKids gave my family and I support throughout one of the most horrific times of our lives, and we are truly indebted to them,” Mr Nowell said. 

HeartKids is a national profit-for-purpose charity organisation with all funds raised going directly into Advocacy, Information, Research and Support to help those affected by CHD. 

HeartKids said the statistics for CHD were alarming with eight babies born every day in Australia with a heart condition. 

There is no known cure for CHD.

“I have done quite a lot of fundraising for HeartKids over the years, and since moving back to Victoria to manage the WVLX saleyards in Mortlake, I’ve been working on a plan to help raise awareness and funds for the cause down here,” Mr Nowell said. 

He said WVLX board of management and the saleyards’ foundation agents were all making significant donations to the cause. 

The whole community was invited to come along to the sale on Thursday, December 13, starting at 10am, with the saleyards trying to raise $5000-$10,000 for the charity through donations, merchandise and rattle tins, Mr Nowell said.

People can also donate online at https://give.everydayhero.com/au/wvlx-heartkids-store-sale