By RUSSELL BENNETT
BROKEN bones and serious illnesses – the kids at the Angliss Hospital’s paediatric unit have been put through the ringer.
But their journey to recovery has been given a huge boost with a $40,000 donation from Emerald Rotary and the sponsors of the iconic Kids Fun Run With Thomas.
The third instalment of the event was run last November and has been instrumental in refurbishing the new children’s paediatric short stay unit, which features a specially designed area with just kids in mind.
The main refurbishment also includes four paediatric beds, four wheelchairs, toys and an interactive space where kids can feel free to just be kids.
“The Rotary Club of Emerald and District organises the event and enjoys knowing the funds raised are supporting a children’s project locally,” Emerald Rotary president Kristine Ash said.
“We use the tag line ‘Kids Running for Kids’ (and) this has never been more apt than this year.
“The children running raised $10,152 through online fundraising pages, with two of the youngest runners, Jayden Regan and Nicolas Cowdery, raising $1000 apiece.”
Since its inception in 2002, the Kids Fun Run With Thomas has raised $400,000 for children’s needs in the area.
“The committee works hard for nine months of the year and it is a credit to Ken Miller’s leadership of this year’s committee that the day was such a success,” Ms Ash said.
Between 400 and 600 runners between the ages of three and 12 take part each year in a race against one of their biggest childhood icons – the world famous Thomas the Tank Engine – along the Puffing Billy railway track into Gembrook Station.
The great all-round family day out also includes a jumping castle, showbags and all the fun and frivolity of the Gembrook market.
The sponsors who have been with the Kids Fun Run with Thomas for most of the event’s 14 year history include Puffing Billy Tourist Railway, Mitre 10/Barry Plant Emerald, Ferntree Gully Nissan and The Jefferson Group.
With their help, more than $145,000 has been donated to the Angliss Hospital for its children’s paediatric ward in the past three years.
