Mother's Day is at the heart of artist Dick Frizzell's latest work, with thousands of women set to walk away from a nationwide annual fun run/walk wearing a unique piece of the iconic Kiwi artist's work.

For the second year running, Dick is lending his renowned creative skills to the Jennian Homes Mother's Day Fun Run/Walk, creating a collectable and recognisable heart design that runners and walkers will don at events all around New Zealand this Sunday.

Into its sixth year, the New Zealand-wide event is part of an initiative run by Jennian Homes to support the Heart Foundation's ‘Heart Foundation for Women' campaign, which aims to improve the heart health of New Zealand women.

Heart disease is the number-one cause of death for women in New Zealand, claiming the lives of more than 50 women each week.

As a proud supporter, Jennian Homes is committed to working with the Heart Foundation to reduce this alarming statistic, and will be giving $20,000 to the charity to support women's heart health as a result of the Mother's Day events.

An initiative Frizzell is more than happy to get behind for a second time. Last year more than 7000 women took away the word ‘love' creatively set in the shape of a heart on the distinctive red T-shirt, all thanks to his handy work.

'Jennian Homes and I have a great relationship. They have been been very generous to me with my cookbook ‘Cooking 4 Change' [involving 101 famous kiwis, who kindly donated their own recipes],” says Dick.

'I'm a true believer in transparent charity events, such as this one because you can see how they work and exactly where the money is going.

'Charity initiatives are just one of the things that I can do, and am good at. Whether it is spectacles or umbrellas or T-shirts, I'm happy to give it a go.”

This year's Mother's Day walk design features five hearts set in the shape of the Olympic rings emblazoned on the front – signifying the involvement of 45 Olympic athletes including, Natalie Rooney (shooting), Kayla Whitelock (hockey), and Nikki Hamblin (middle distance runner) who are fronting the event as ambassadors.

The Olympians, past or present, will be active across the country at all 23 respective locations helping coordinate warm ups, while some will also take part in the 5km course.

Athletes include 2016 silver medal sailing pair Alex Maloney and Molly Meech taking part in Paihia, double medal winning rower Rebecca Scown in Hamilton, rugby sevens silver medallist Ruby Tui in Tauranga, rowing silver medallist Genevieve Behrent in Whitianga, double-bronze medal winning rower Nathan Twaddle in Whakatane and double-bronze medal rower Peter Taylor in Wellington.

This came out of Jennian Homes partnering with the New Zealand Olympic Committee ahead of last year's games in Rio de Janiero to help Kiwi athletes achieve their goals on the world stage.

All of which enabled Dick's concept to come together following a conversation with Jennian Homes CEO Aidan Jury at Dick's Grafton studio.

'Aidan asked if I would be happy to give the t-shirt design another go. He mentioned, in passing, the tie to the NZOC and the Olympians and I immediately started drawing it up in my head. When you hear the answer in the question it is handy,” says Dick.

'I love the design. A simple idea like this has great cut-through and speaks to people.”

And, as always, if people are blown away by the design and it connects with them, then Dick considers he has done his job.

For a full list of Jennian Homes Mother's Day Fun Run/Walk locations and to register for the 5km event go to http://www.jennianmothersday.com/

Jennian Homes also has 50 art prints of the 2017 design, signed by Dick Frizzell, as part of the entrant prize pool worth $25,000.