Hawke’s Bay Quality Assurance Co‑ordinator Charlize Pederson will be running in the Hawke’s Bay Marathon this May. After completing her very first half marathon only last June and then tackling the Queenstown Marathon in November, she’s setting her sights on a race close to home.
This time, Charlize is running for Heart Kids NZ, a cause that became deeply personal after her family experienced firsthand just how vital their support can be.
Charlize’s nephew’s baby boy was born with a very rare congenital heart condition called TAPVD, where the veins that should carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs don’t connect to the left side of the heart. At just three weeks old, he underwent open-heart surgery. Charlize says the family’s “little heart hero” is now a happy, cheeky and thriving baby.
Watching her whānau navigate hospital stays, uncertainty, and recovery changed everything. It inspired Charlize to turn her love of running into something meaningful.
She’s set herself the goal of raising $1,000 for Heart Kids NZ. You can support Charlize and her cause here.
“It’s groups like Heart Kids NZ who helped our whanau through that journey, making sure we knew we weren’t alone. They were there for us not just inside the hospital, but outside of it too – offering support, guidance, and a sense of belonging to a lifelong community we’ll forever be grateful for,” she says.
Charlize can’t describe how much that support meant during one of the hardest times her family has faced, and why charities like Heart Kids NZ need ongoing backing from the community. Every donation, big or small, helps Heart Kids NZ continue their incredible work so other families can feel that same support when they need it most.
“Their help truly made a difference and it’s one of the reasons we’re able to enjoy watching our boy thrive today,” she says.
This marathon will be a family effort too. Charlize’s sister is taking on the half marathon, and her brother is giving the 10km a go. While Charlize is quickly becoming a seasoned marathon runner, this is the first time her siblings have entered a running event.
“Proud baby sister moment!”
