A fundraiser will be held next weekend for an Invercargill teenager recovering from a heart transplant. 

George Riki-Pennicott, 16, is recuperating in Auckland following the operation.

He was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy back in 2019. He was placed on a treatment plan to reduce his heart's workload, but it wasn't as effective as George's specialist had hoped.

Earlier this year, George began to deteriorate and was placed on the active list for a heart transplant.

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But before the operation could take place, he deteriorated again and had to have a device attached to his heart (LVAD), which did most of the work of pumping the blood around his body.

Now he's finally had open heart surgery to get a new heart.

George and his parents, Soul Riki and Waneta Pennicott-Riki, have been living in Auckland since the middle of April, while the rest of the family live in Invercargill. They'll continue to live in Auckland for the next 2-3 months while he recovers.

Soul works for Awarua Synergy in Invercargill and the company is hosting a Housie fundraiser at the Star Rugby Club in Invercargill next Friday, July 9, to help the family.

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Awarua Synergy chief executive Sumaria Beaton said they would love a big crowd to support Soul’s whanau at the Housie evening, from 6pm.

The Awarua team have donated some of their annual leave and supported other fundraising activities, she said.

"We have also reached out to our suppliers and asked if they could donate prizes for our Housie fundraising evening," Beaton says.

"We have had an overwhelming response from our suppliers and plenty of awesome prizes that are up for grabs. 

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"All funds raised will be donated to Soul’s whanau."

Prizes donated so far included Oysters from Fowlers Wild Oysters, and vouchers from Countdown, Mini Dig This, The Auction House Café, Mitre10, Prezzy Cards, petrol vouchers, Chey Beauty, E Hayes, Kankis, Somewhat Green, and other household items such as candles, an outdoor patio heater, hats, beanies, basketball tickets, a gift basket, fried bread, baking, a massage, and a traditional Maori healing voucher.

A Givealittle page has also been set up: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/georges-heart, which has so far raised $1500.

Date: Friday 9th July 2021

Place: Star Rugby Club, Invercargill

Time: 6pm doors open and game start 6.30pm

To purchase tickets, visit our Facebook or click this link here https://raisingchamps.nz/fundraisers/awarua-synergy-staff-member-whanau/