The Bundaberg Region community is being encouraged to go pink and pound the pavement for this year's International Women’s Day Fun Run by the Mater Foundation.
Virtual and in-person fun runs will be held throughout the nation to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer on Sunday 12 March.
Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg event coordinator Hayley Saunders said there was a family-friendly event planned to kick off at Neilson Park Beach at 9.30 am, with the whole community invited along.
“There will be a sausage sizzle, kids face painting and a donut drive,” she said.
“The 5km course will start from the skating rink and down to the Bargara Basin and back.
“We have first, second and third prizes as well as prizes for best-dressed, so we hope a lot of people dress up in pink on the day.”
Hayley said local businesses and the community had already jumped on board to support the event via donations.
“We have raised over $1000 so far with more to come!” she said.
Bundaberg Regional Council's sport and recreation portfolio spokesperson Cr Vince Habermann said he had signed up to take part and urged others to participate in the great community initiative.
“Join in the sea of pink to walk or run 5km along our beautiful Bargara while raising money and support for breast cancer,” he said.
“If you can't attend the event in person, why not donate or attend one of the many virtual events happening around the nation?
“Thank you to the Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg team for putting together a wonderful initiative that not only puts breast cancer in the spotlight, but also gets our community together to fight for a good cause.”
History of the Mater Foundation Fun Run
Mater Foundation Chief Executive Officer Andrew Thomas said the fun run had been a much-loved event for more than 30 years and had been expanded to allow Queenslanders to participate wherever they live in the state.
“The response from the community this year has been overwhelming,” Mr Thomas said.
“We’re delighted that 20,000 Queenslanders will be joining the sea of pink in Brisbane this year and that so far another 2,900 will be running in their own events.
“If you missed out on joining the Brisbane event, or you live in other parts of Queensland, you can still be part of this fantastic celebration.
“Register with us and walk or run in your own community – every dollar you raise will help women fighting breast cancer.
“This year we’re hoping to raise more than $1.75m to provide personalised support services and state-of-the-art equipment to better diagnose and treat patients, as well as investing in life-saving breast cancer research at Mater.
“Please join us and show women with breast cancer that we’re right beside them during their most difficult time.”
Bundaberg Mater Fun Run event details
Where: Nielson Park Beach
When: 12 March from 9.30 am
Find out more here.
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