Dean and Heath, two long-time friends, teamed up for Run Prix Fun Run to make a difference in the lives of children experiencing violence and trauma.
Dean's passion for taking on a challenge and his desire to help children in vulnerable circumstances naturally led him to choose the Alannah & Madeline Foundation as his charity of choice for the run.
Heath was initially introduced to the Foundation through Dean. "We joined Dean's team for the Run Prix Fun Run, and he had chosen the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.
I did some research, and I was excited to fundraise for you guys as well," says Heath after learning about the Foundation's mission to keep children and young people safe.
Embracing a challenge for children in crisis
One of the unique aspects of their fundraising journey is Heath's determination to complete the 10km run despite having never run such a distance before. Dean proudly highlights this fact.
"People realise it is a really big effort for Heath to do this. They can see he's really putting in a big effort, so they're happy to support him and the Foundation."
Their dedication and determination resonated with supporters from all avenues of their lives who generously donated to their fundraising pages. From Dean's mum to Heath's boss and many others from their network, the team raised an impressive $6,190!
These contributions, along with support from various friends and acquaintances, have driven their fundraising success.
“I’m totally blown away by the response for a great cause,” Heath said of his family and friends’ generous donations.
Boots on the ground fundraising
Their fundraising approach has been nothing short of sensational. Dean's strategy involved forming a team. "I'll just expand it and get a few friends involved," he decided, confident that this approach would enable them to raise even more funds.
Their team consisted of five members, including Dean, Heath, Dean's niece, her husband, and another close friend. While some are seasoned runners, others like Heath are embarking on this challenging journey for the very first time – all in the name of raising vital funds to support children and young people.
Heath's approach, while new to fundraising, was incredibly successful. His main tactic? Reaching out to his phone contacts and texting them - and it worked a treat.
Heath’s simple yet heartfelt approach resonated with many as he excitedly wrote on his fundraising page.
“I’m very lucky to have a fantastic network of friends, family and contacts who have very generously sponsored me in raising money for kids in need and pushing me to hit my goal,” wrote Heath.
Dean and Heath's commitment to taking on the 10km run to raise funds for the Alannah & Madeline Foundation exemplifies the power of friendship and the impact individuals can make when they unite for a cause they believe in.
Learn how to set up your own fundraising campaign here.
