Maria and Andrew Chatfield's three children have all spent time in Wollongong Hospital's children's ward so they are delighted to offer something in return.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Kiama couple and children Fletcher, 9, Elliott, 7, and Somerset, 4, are the family ambassadors for the 2014 Run Wollongong event, which is raising funds to redevelop the children's ward.
"The children's ward has been a real saving grace for us over the past few years," Mrs Chatfield said.
"Somerset has a rare immune deficiency and has had over 30 admissions with serious infections.
"Elliott has asthma and has needed to be admitted a number of times and this year poor old Fletcher developed epilepsy and has had to be admitted.
"I think most parents in the region have had some reason to attend the children's ward, whether it's for an ongoing condition or a broken leg or infection, and so I'd urge people to get behind Run Wollongong."
Registrations are now open for the October 19 event, which is also funding the construction of a purpose-built children's assessment unit in North Wollongong.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District director of paediatrics Dr Susie Piper said the inaugural event in 2013 exceeded all expectations, attracting more than 2500 participants and raising $107,500, which was matched by the Cotton On Foundation.
It is one of six such events in the foundation's Run Australia program, with events also taking place this year in Ballarat, Newcastle and Geelong.
"In the first year of these events, the Cotton On Foundation matches whatever is raised, so it brought our total to $215,000, which has enabled us to start construction on the children's assessment unit," Dr Piper said.
"This year we are hoping to double the number of participants to around 5000 so we can raise the same amount of money, which will see the completion of that unit."
Dr Piper praised the Run Australia initiative, which not only brought communities together for a fun event but raised funds to improve the health of the region's children.
"What is great about the Run Australia model is that 100 per cent of the registration cost goes towards improving the health facilities and services for children in each region."
For details, or to register, go to runaustralia.com.au.
