Our story
At the Heart Foundation, we have a vision: a future free of heart disease. Heart Foundation Walking has been striding towards this goal since 1995, supporting people and groups across the country to walk together for a healthy mind, body and heart. Today, Heart Foundation Walking is one of Australia’s largest free walking programs.
Our people
We’re passionate about supporting people to lead more active lives in pursuit of better heart health. Our programs are for people from all walks of life, particularly those at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
But we don’t do it alone: Heart Foundation Walking is powered by over 1,000 dedicated volunteer walk organisers who lead our ‘red striders’, an inspiring community of walkers all over Australia.
We’ve also partnered with hundreds of host organisations across the country. These partners are supporting their communities to move more, together, one walk at a time.
Our work
The Heart Foundation’s National Walking Initiative is funded by the Australian Government.
Focus areas include:
Participation in walking
Getting more people in Australia moving by joining Heart Foundation Walking
Public and health professional education
Increasing awareness of the benefits of walking and supporting health professionals to refer people to Heart Foundation Walking
Empowering communities to lead local action
Funding community-led physical activity projects through the Active Australia Innovation Challenge grants program
Shaping more walkable built environments
Championing the need for safer, more walkable built and natural environments through Healthy Active by Design
Support us
Cardiovascular disease is Australia’s leading cause of death. Your support can help to save more hearts and contribute to making heart disease history.
Here’s how you can help:
- Donate to the Heart Foundation or explore opportunities to fundraise for us
- Visit the Heartshop. Every product you buy helps to fund breakthrough research into cardiovascular disease.
- Encourage your friends and family to join Heart Foundation Walking.
- Get in touch to find out how you can support our work.
Funding partners
Heart Foundation Walking is a free national program that’s made possible thanks to the support of our funding partners. These partners help people across Australia to make walking a part of their lives.
