By Parker McKenzie
$45,000 was raised for the Monash Children’s Hospital in the 2022 Rotary Club of Emerald’s annual Kid’s Fun Run, which saw hundreds of children race Puffing Billy around the township.
Held on Sunday 4 December, the Fun Run — which won Cardinia Council’s community event of the year for 2021 — saw children aged three to 12 raise funds for charity while running alongside the iconic Puffing Billy at Gembrook Railway Station.
Emerald Rotary Club President Shalini Penny said the Fun Run has been supporting the children’s hospital two times previously.
“It’s very heartwarming to know they’ll get this money and put it to good use,” she said.
“Normally people don’t register to the last minute, but this year they were registering quickly which was a nice bonus.”
The fundraiser has donated over $671,250 to children’s charities since it first started in 2002.
Event organizer John Henderson said it was a great turnout on a “very hot day.”
“We haven’t had the event for a couple of years because of Covid-19, the event was in 2019,” he said.
“The kids each received a certificate and a show bag donated by local businesses, that was brilliant as well.”
Over 100 volunteers made the event possible, with 500 children taking part in the fun run.
Mr Henderson said it wouldn’t have been possible without the work of Rotarians and volunteers.
“It’s not just a fundraiser. It’s a really good community event, promoting the town of Gembrook,” he said.
“The local CFA came down for a sausage sizzle and lots of locals came by to lend their support as well.”
One participant Byron was the top fundraiser with $1060 raised for charity, with the top five fundraisers gifting $3736 to Monash Children’s Hospital.
Mr Penny said the event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Puffing Billy Railway and the event’s sponsors.
“They funded a lot of things towards the event, provided the train for the day and the grounds as well,” she said.
“Community events bring out the best in everyone.”
The Fun Run was sponsored by Toot Toot Toys, Emerald Mitre 10, Bicycle Superstore, That’s Right Bookkeeping, Barry Plant Emerald, Wholesome Food Company and Puffing Billy Railway.
The Rotary Club of Emerald and District is one of 34,000 Rotary clubs worldwide. It was founded in 1980 and regularly runs community events, a debutant ball its next major event.
