Wearing a tiny Run Wollongong T-shirt Duffy Chatfield completed his first charity walk to raise money for Wollongong Hospital’s Children’s Ward.
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At just 11 days old he completed the 6km course asleep in the pram or in the loving arms of his mother Maria Chatfield who is one of the event’s ambassadors.
All of the Chatfield’s four children have been patients in the Children’s Ward - the latest being Duffy who has spent nine days of his short life in the care of medical staff.
Duffy was born with restricted growth, his brother Fletcher, 10, is epileptic and has had two admissions, as has Elliott, 7, who is an asthmatic.
Their sister Somerset, 4, has an immune deficiency and has had 30 admissions, some of them in isolation.
‘‘We’ve been there so many times now that we’re treated like family,’’ said Mrs Chatfield.
‘‘It’s good today to be able to give something back because the staff have really made a big difference to our lives. I can’t thank them enough.’’
The event, now in its second year, raised almost $150,000 for the re-development of the Children’s Ward which is almost $42,000 more than last year.
About 3500 participants, of all ages, crossed the finish line at the WIN Stadium - some running the 12km course, while others chose the shorter family friendly 6km walk or run.
Former rugby great Wendell Sailor walked the 6km distance with his daughter Matisse, 11.
‘‘Everytime I go to hospital to see the kids I have to brace myself,’’ Sailor said.
‘‘It humbles you. Whenever I think I’ve had a bad day on the field or in life I think of those kids in the hospital. It pulls at the heart strings.’’
Champion surfer Sally Fitzgibbons was also an ambassador.
‘‘I think our community is really passionate about helping out a good cause,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s a win-win because it also promotes healthy living.’’
All of the funds raised will go towards the construction of a purpose-built Illawarra Children’s Assessment Unit.