New branch on the way

It’s been three months since Greymouth’s Tania Bugler was asked to take on the role of Family Support Worker for the West Coast.  In that time, the Mum of three, has established a Support Group for local heart families, held the Coast’s first ever Heart Stopper Challenge and gathered together a willing group to form a committee to take on the running of a local branch.

“It’s certainly been a busy few months since saying, ‘of course’ but the benefits for the Coast heart families has been huge,” says Tanya.  “Our support group is well underway.  Where we often felt isolated, now we feel like we belong. Having someone to talk to who knows just how you are feeling is so comforting.  It’s also really good to see local heart children of all ages getting together.”

“Tania has demonstrated a real commitment and understanding of what is needed in Greymouth,” says Branch Coordinator Julie Neilsen.  “It’s just this sort of commitment that started our organisation and many of the existing 16 branches.”

Tania and husband Sam are heart parents themselves.  Their youngest son Cooper (2) was born with several heart defects.  Cooper had open heart surgery at 6 1/2 months and will require further surgery in the future. Despite it all, Cooper is doing well. “He’s happy.  He keeps up with his two older brothers, Kade (6) and Corbin (4) and like other littlies he’s just hit the terrible two’s,” says Tania.

Cooper and the heart families in the West Coast are Tania’s motivation for taking on the Family Support Worker role and working towards the establishment of a branch.

"It’s something I never dreamed I would be doing but I feel so privileged to be part of it,” says Tania.  “Having a branch here is a huge accomplishment.”

As the organisation grows and develops, our families expect to be able to access an equitable service across the country,” says Julie. “For the families who live on the West Coast of the South Island the establishment of a local branch will mean just that.”

“Now the support for our heart families is not ‘just a phone call away,’ it’s a friendly face.”

Tania can be contacted on 03 768 0949, 021 2115 333 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .