Hand On Her Heart life Comes Full Circle For Kate
New Zealand Woman's Weekly|February 25, 2019

How She’s Carrying On Both Her Mum And Sister’s Legacies.

Fleur Guthrie
Hand On Her Heart life Comes Full Circle For Kate

The last time Kate Figgins appeared in the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, she was a toddler in dungarees, with blonde pigtails, sitting on her mum’s knee.

It was for a story on two women who had lost their babies to congenital heart defects and had channelled their grief to write a handbook for other parents going through the same trauma.

As a result, the women, Linda Davies and Michelle Mann, helped start an organisation known today as Heart Kids.

Now, nearly 40 years later and in a tale of life coming full circle, Kate has been appointed CEO of the very charity her mother Michelle played a pivotal role in founding.

“Oh, she was absolutely stoked when I told her I had taken the job,” smiles Kate.

“It means Heart Kids is not going to lose sight of where it’s come from. And the more that I speak to people in this role day-to-day, often in the hospital wards, the more I can see the impact that Mum and Linda have made.”

When Kate looks at that original Weekly article, she says she feels so proud of them and understandably, emotional.

“The headline, ‘Little lives weren’t in vain’ was so apt at the time and even more relevant now as every week 12 babies are born with a congenital heart defect in New Zealand,” she says. “It’s also a real honour to my little sister Jessica, who died at six months old. Nobody wants to think that a child has died in vain.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW ZEALAND WOMAN'S WEEKLYView all
The perfect GETAWAY
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

The perfect GETAWAY

From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Message in a BOTTLE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Message in a BOTTLE

Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Empowered & thriving!  PERFECT AT ANY AGE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE

Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE

From stressed to refreshed! Lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis shares the simple steps you should adopt to give your wellbeing a boost

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT

The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD

After a tough start to motherhood, the foodie tells how she reclaimed her life

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART

After a decade in the country, she’s given up the good life to return home

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро

It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART

The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB

The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024