City to Surf
19/Nov/2007
Earlier on this year, on Sunday 12th August, over 60,000 people took part in the annual Sun Herald City to Surf race from Sydney to Bondi Beach. Long established as Australia's biggest community fun run, the City to Surf event had a new aim this year; to be the nation's top community fund-raising event. Participants were invited to register to collect sponsorship in support of their favorite charity and were able to set up online fundraising pages to assist in their fundraising efforts.
The support for their inaugural fundraising initiative was outstanding, with participants in the 2007 event collectively raising more that $1.04 million dollars for charity.
We received support from an impressive number of inspiring individuals and teams who chose to run the 14 kilometre route in support of people with Cystic Fibrosis. Our thanks go to;
Lana Adams $1,025.00
Alan Archbold $770.00
Anne Bryce $125.00
Jacqueline Clarke $420.00
Samantha Frost $350.00
Peter Hynd $2,745.00
Belinda Jolley $55.00
Caleb Morris $650.00
Ben Perkin $1180.00
Team Ella $895.00
Faye Scott $515.00
Voyages Run team $405.00
Leanne Harding $200.00
Caleb Morris writes of his experience of running the City to Surf for CF.
“I ran to sponsor CF and raised $500 from colleagues and friends. Every year I run the city so surf, each year I paint myself in body paint from head to toe. Usually aiming to get in the paper (this year no luck). I have always thought that the Sun Herald City to Surf should be a fund raiser event.
I chose this year to fund raise for CF after seeing a friend of mine raise funds for CF through his Ironman tri-athlon event in Hawaii last year. This inspired me to run for charity. On a personal level, I have two cousins in their mid 20's who have CF and have seen their battle with CF. I know that they battle with breathing everyday in the same way a runner does when heading up heartbreak hill. I also thought about the exposure we get when running in body paint and boxer shorts, this was too good a marketing opportunity to miss so we painted CF in bright colours on our chests and backs. All day we had people running past asking us what CF stood for.”
And Alison Pigott, CF grandmother, tells of Team Ella’s motivation for getting involved;
My name is Alison Pigott, my granddaughter Ella Melton has Cystic Fibrosis, she was diagnosed at 2 months of age, and we were told by her doctor that we would need to keep Ella fit and should ourselves get fit and be involved in sport. Ella's mum, Elise took up netball again, Ella's other grandmother was into horse riding, Ella's father would teach her how to swim, but I wondered, not being a sporty person, what could I do.
Having entered the City 2 Surf a few times before, my dream was that one day, Ella would run one with me – this year however I would have to push Ella in a stroller, as she is only 12 months old.
People eagerly rallied around this idea and Team Ella formed to run the City 2 Surf and raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis.
Team Ella consisting of myself, Ella's grandfather Bob Pigott, Ella's mum Elise Sharpe, Ella's Aunt Caitlin Sharpe and of course Ella. We completed the famous race in 164 minutes on an unseasonably warm winter’s day and raising $895 for Cystic Fibrosis.
Ella had a great day and was popular amongst other competitors and race watchers, with many people stopping to speak to Team Ella along the way.
Thank you to everyone who supported Team Ella and hopefully we will get bigger and perhaps faster next year.”
In total this year’s City to Surf event raised over $9,000 for Cystic Fibrosis. Next year we would like to see an even bigger team of people putting their best foot forward for CF. If you are interested in being involved keep an eye out in the New Year for more details.
