WHEN Zara Smith is asked how much money she raised last year through the Heart Foundation's Jump Rope for Heart program she doesn't hesitate.
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"Twelve thousand, seven hundred and twenty-eight dollars and seventy-five cents," she says proudly.
This year, the 11-year-old from Axedale is aiming to go one better, setting her sights on $20,000.
To that end she is seeking sponsorship from businesses and individuals throughout central Victoria to "help make a difference and save people's lives".
Zara's fundraising efforts started as a bit of sibling rivalry but the importance of the Heart Foundation's work was driven home when her father Jeff suffered a heart attack two years ago.
"First of all my brother Connor raised over $1000 which kind of made me want to have a little bit of a competition and the first time I did it I raised $3060," she said.
"Then dad had a heart attack and that’s why I wanted to raise more and help other people."
Her mother Rachel said her dedication since then had been impressive.
"It's going to be a lot of hard work, she gave up some of her school holidays to do this, she gives up all her holidays to get out there and go and do fundraising," she said.
Zara's enthusiasm for fundraising is catching, with father Jeff inspired to pitch in with his own effort, offering to shave his beard and hair if enough sponsorship money can be found for the Heart Foundation.
"This hasn't been off in 41 years," he said, pointing to his sizable moustache.
"This year with Zara we are trying to branch out and find any way to raise funds so I've offered my head as a complete shave."
Aside from being motivated by Zara's efforts to join her cause, Mr Smith is immensely proud of his daughter.
"It's pretty impressive really that my daughter has taken this on on her own initiative, she's helping not just me but other people with heart conditions," he said.
"If nobody does it then we don’t go anywhere."
The Heart Foundation Jump Rope for Heart program is one of the longest-running physical activity programs in Australian schools.
Since the program started in 1983, more than 95 per cent of all Australian schools, involving over eight million school children have participated and so far this year four schools in the Greater Bendigo region have signed up.