The countdown is on for one of Earle Page College’s biggest fundraisers, with residents gearing up to run more than 200 kilometres for children’s disease research.
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The annual relay-style run from Armidale to Coffs Harbour raises funds for the Children’s Medical Research Institute, which works in advancing the treatment and prevention of childhood diseases.
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Convener Darcy Glassock said this year’s running crew consisted of about 30 college residents plus a support team who would be on hand the whole way to help them tick off the kilometres.
“We do a 220-kilometre run from the front of our college to the end of the Coffs Harbour jetty. We do it over two days with two teams,” Mr Glassock said.
“We are aiming to raise around $20,000 this year. It’s really great. For the residents, it’s really ingrained in our culture and we’ve had a massive response from the university and Armidale community.”
The fun run is a long-standing tradition, with residents holding additional fundraising events including auctions, fashion parades and other activities in the lead up to the run.
Head of College Kathie Hunt said community members can donate or sponsor the run by getting in touch with the college, and the generosity had already been overwhelming.
“We are very close to $500,000, but we expect to get there next year. It would be a pretty good milestone for our 40th run,” she said.
“There are a number of events that contribute to this. We’ve had the fashion parade, Coast Run Goes Bush and a charity auction.
“It is all driven by our student body, and then the college community gets involved.” Founder Brent Gregory said he was proud of the continuation of the college’s coast run legacy, which started in 1979.
“I am really amazed at the capabilities of people to make things happen,” he said.
The running teams and support crew will leave Armidale on Friday, August 24.
To donate or become a sponsor, contact Earle Page College on 6773 5300.