Eaton students jump for joy

Eaton Primary School's commitment to fundraising for more than 20 years has earned a rare Heart Foundation award.

The president's award is not the only one residing at the school, as Jump Rope for Heart coordinator Rod Harrison also received personal acknowledgment at a function in Perth for organising the school's program since the mid-1990s.

The school organises the skipping event every two years for its Year 3 and 4 students and about $6000 was raised this year, taking their overall amount raised past $50,000.

"I'm told they only give out six of these awards every two years," Mr Harrison said.

"I was really surprised but it's nice to be recognised out of the blue like that."

Mr Harrison, who began a Jump Rope for Heart program at Cooinda Primary School in 1990 before moving to Eaton two years later, said the idea was always growing and had considerable health benefits for students.

"I find it a really easy program to run and the kids love it," he said.

"You can see a rapid improvement in kids as we run a four to six week program in the lead-up to our jump off."