The Sydney Swans and North Melbourne will face off on Saturday night for the HeartKids Cup.

The two sides have been played for the cup since 2012 with it being an organisation close to the heart of both clubs.

Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh and North Melbourne great Glenn Archer are both HeartKids Cup Ambassadors holding a close connection to the organisation.

In 2011 McVeigh tragically lost his daughter, Luella, to a heart condition in a very tough time for the family.

“It is very special to me; it is close to my heart with losing my daughter to heart disease,” McVeigh said.

“Learning about the disease and how many people it can affect was huge and to play for something special like that does mean a lot and I am very proud.”

Every day, eight Australians are born with heart defect – adding up to almost 3,000 people each year and childhood heart disease is Australia’s most common birth abnormality, which affects one in 100 children.

HeartKids offer their support to other families in need and attempt to create a network of support of all families.

You can find out more, and donate to HeartKids, at their website: www.heartkids.org.au.