Jay's Follow Up Story

Hi, Scott and Julienne,

I wanted to drop you a line because, although I'm sure the three years Jay spent with you guys is now a distant memory, that time for us has never been far from our minds — and I wanted you to know the lasting impact you've had in our lives.

I wanted you to know the lasting impact you've had in our lives.

Heartwell taught Jay skills and discipline that continue to serve him well all these years on.
Jay and I have done the Run for the Kids for three years now and this year we upped our participation from the little run to the big one. A massive ask for Jay, who still plods along at his own pace and could only run just over one kilometre when we started training. But his pace was pretty impressive by the time the big day arrived: he ran 14.38kms in 1:48:51! Not only did he finish the race still jogging, but he told me that he only walked when he was having a drink stop, he even managed to keep up his pace over the Bolte Bridge!

Without the lessons Heartwell taught him, I don't think Jay would have had the confidence to get in there and give it a shot.

As you can see from the photograph, he looks pretty comfortable with his stride and happy to be there. I really think that this picture would never have happened without the skills Jay learned during his time at Heartwell. Without the lessons you taught him, I don't think he would have had the confidence to get in there and give it a shot.

And he already has a new goal, next year he wants to complete the course in under 1 hour 30 ... I don't think that's going to be a problem at all.

Jay is still not very interested in sports, but he does participate in PE now and he still gets out on his bike and rides around — another skill I'm sure he only picked up because of the confidence you taught him.

So I wanted to thank you again and let you know that we'll be forever in your debt.