The group made the tough cancellation decision with the community's health in mind.

The Student Heart Project president Madison Sealy said they wanted the ball to remain accessible to everyone in the community, and given the COVID-19 pandemic, it was just not feasible in 2020.

The group provides a platform for Charles Sturt Port Macquarie students and community members to work together to make the Hastings heart safe.

All funds raised go to the purchase of defibrillators.

"Our aim next year is to host our annual Red and Blue Ball in spring of 2021 and come back with a bit of a bang, as long as the health of the nation and our region is good enough," Miss Sealy said.

If not, the group will strive to continue educating the community about the importance of accessible defibrillators in the event of cardiac arrest.

The Student Heart Project has raised almost $50,000 in five years, and as a result, there are defibrillators placed in Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Kempsey, Lord Howe Island and Bonny Hills.

"The 2020 current members cannot take this credit alone," Miss Sealy said.

"It is the collective work of the past five years, the founders and every member since that has allowed us to reach where we currently are."

There is a defibrillator application process and the Student Heart Project welcomes any organisation which reaches out.

The group has members ranging from Charles Sturt Port Macquarie first to third year paramedicine students and there is a nursing student on board as well.

The goal is to broaden the project to include more nursing students.

Miss Sealy said the Student Heart Project's future would be resilient.

"Our current executives will leave once they graduate and it is an opportunity for the first and second year students to step up and guide this group in a community-centred path," she said.

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