Teams of brave North Shore work colleagues came out in force at Smales Farm on Thursday 4th October to raise funds for HeartKids. The 360 Heartstopper challenge saw creative teams in some crazy costumes sit for 360 seconds in a 10 degree spa pool topped up with ice. Channel's publishing company Benefitz took the plunge, raising close to $3,000. Taking the lead was publisher Aidan Bennett dressed as Elton John, complete with mini-grand piano, performing one of his greatest hits: Benny & the Jets became Bene & the Fitz. 

Each year, 550 major heart surgeries are performed on children and babies with heart defects in New Zealand. During surgery a child’s chest cavity can be filled with an icy slush to slow the heart’s requirement for oxygen, which can help give the surgeon a longer window of operating time, inspiring the ice challenge theme of the event. The teams all lasted the distance, defrosting afterwards in a warm spa pool, and surpassing the fundraising target set by raising $18,374 between them.