By Alice Rennison
Kids will have the opportunity to run alongside Thomas the Tank Engine in the annual Kids Fun Run with Thomas.The Rotary Club of Emerald and District organises the event, which is open to children aged from three to 12 years.
They can run courses from 150 metres to 1200 metres on 25 November.
Kids Fun Run with Thomas chair John Henderson said the run was about kids helping kids.
He said children understood other children might be less fortunate.
“It’s encouraging children to become good citizens and to give back to the community,” he said.
“Registrations and donations have been open for a week now.
“One girl has already donated nearly $400 already.”
This year the run is raising money for the Monash Children’s Cancer Centre, which provides a range of services to treat childhood and adolescent blood diseases and cancer.
“We contacted 10 primary schools in the region and they voted for the centre,” he said.
“The kids fun run raises money for different charities, nearly every year.”
It has raised more than $575,000 since it started in 2002.
“In our first year we had 250 children participating,” Mr Henderson said.
“In 2017 we had 600 children participate and raised $43,000.”
Mr Henderson said the event was also lots of fun.
“This year we will take over the park across the road from Puffing Billy Railway Station in Gembrook,” he said.
“There will be fair ground rides, food and lots of fun.”
