More than 2500 participants raised $107,501 at the inaugural event last October, which the Cotton On Foundation matched dollar for dollar, enabling construction to start at the Porter Street site.

Just over $50,000 has been raised so far for the 2014 event on October 19 – with registrations hitting 1172 – and that will help fund the fit-out of the purpose-built paediatric clinic.

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District director of paediatrics, Dr Susie Piper, said she expected the facility to be open by the end of the year.

‘‘This unit will provide assessment, support and early intervention services to children with development delays, learning difficulties and speech and language delays,’’ Dr Piper said.

‘‘It has specialised observation areas so a clinician can interact with a child in one room, while other specialists are able to observe from behind a two-way mirror without the child being aware and intimidated.

‘‘This will lead to more successful assessments, which will in turn lead to diagnoses which will help families access the therapies they need for their children.’’

Dr Piper said the unit would cater for children up to the age of eight, although the focus was on pre-schoolers.

 ‘‘We want to get children linked in with early intervention before they start school,’’ she said.

Proceeds from the 2014 Run Wollongong will also go towards a major refurbishment of Wollongong Hospital’s children’s ward.

Now in the planning stages, works will include a reception area to facilitate a better flow of patients and visitors to the ward and a staff station to enable private clinical discussions.

A paediatric assessment unit will also be created within the ward.

Visit runaustralia.com.au to register  for Run Wollongong.