By Parker McKenzie
If your children have a competitive streak and a lot of energy, the Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy Railway on Sunday 4 December could be the perfect event for them.
Children aged 3 to 12 can register for the event, which raises funds for the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre and has been held annually since 2002.
President of the Rotary Club of Emerald and District Shalini Penny said even this about raising money for a good cause and assisting the community.
“It’s a very worthy cause, that’s why we get sponsors to the event who agree with that,” she said.
“We generate more funds for the event and more funds to go to the hospital.”
The Fun Run has raised over $670,000 for children’s charities like the Starlight Foundation, Monash Health, End Polio Program, the William Angliss Hospital and the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre since it was first held in 2002.
Local businesses supporting the event include Puffing Billy Railway, The Wholesome Food Company, Thats Right Bookkeeping, Emerald Mitre 10, Emerald Barry Plant, Ferntree Gully Nissan, Toot Tooty Toys and Bicycle Superstore.
Ms Penny said it takes all the club members working together to be able to host an event like the Fun Run.
“We like to do every year that we like to pull the community together, it does take a lot,” she said.
“There’s a lot of organisation with other community groups.”
In 2021, the Kids Fun Run with Thomas, where Puffing Billy was given a makeover to look like Thomas the Tank Engine, won Community Event of the Year in January 2021 at the Cardinia Shire Australia Day Awards.
Ms Penny said being able to hold the Fun Run is “absolutely fantastic.”
“That’s what we do, that’s what we love doing,” she said.
“Being able to help the community and being able to pull together as a club and the community, it really makes us feel proud.”
Entry to the Fun Run is $25 per child, with train rides $5, with every entrant receiving a certificate and a show bag. The event will also have a community market, live music performances and family entertainment.
For more information or to register, visit kidsfunrunwithpuffingbilly.org.au.
