Parra News April 2 2024

LOCAL NEWS
Helping sick kids get better
Nearly $400,000 raised at Walk for Kids with Cancer event
ELLIE BUSBY
Over 880 people laced up their walking
shoes and hit the pavement at this
year’s Walk for Kids with Cancer
event, raising vital funds for cancer patients
at Westmead Children’s Hospital.
An annual fundraising event run by Sydney
Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF), the
recently held 2024 Walk For Kids with Cancer
event brought participants together from all
over the state to walk in solidarity in their
shared fight against childhood cancer.
Starting from The Rocks, the walkers headed
north over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and
completed a 24km path to Balgowlah Heights
on the Northern Beaches.
The starting group was then joined by a
second group of walkers in Mosman, who
completed the final 10km to the finish line, to
raise money for those children and families
impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
At the time of print, nearly $400,000 had
been raised through the event.
All funds raised will go towards helping
ensure sick kids and their families continue
to receive extraordinary care at the Cancer
Centre for Children at The Children’s Hospital
at Westmead, as well as at the Sydney Children’s
Hospital in Randwick.
CEO of SCHF Kristina Keneally congratulated
the efforts of the fundraisers.
SCHF staff at the Walk for Kids with Cancer event.
“Through the power of community, we are
achieving incredible feats and, together, we
can make a real difference to the lives of kids
facing cancer,” she added.
“For some kids, childhood is far from what
it should be. Instead of playdates, there are
appointments. Instead of sleepovers, there
are stays. Instead of firsts, there can be lasts.
“No child should have to go through this, but
those who do deserve our all.”
Each year, 1,000 families in Australia receive
the devastating news their child has cancer,
with three Australian kids losing their battle
with cancer every week.
Thanking those who participated in the
event, Keneally added that the outstanding
result would not have been possible without
the support of those involved in the Movement
of Many campaign and the generosity of
donors.
“Thank you to everyone who laced up their
walking shoes to go all in for kids’ health and
Walk for Kids with Cancer participants cross
the finish line.
to the Western Sydney Wanderers for joining
us and making the day extra special for the
many supporters, donors, patients, and
families who walked for kids with cancer,” she
said.
In its 17th year, SCHF’s hallmark community
event has raised over $2 million for oncology
patients across NSW and beyond.
Walk for Kids with Cancer will return
in March 2025. Donations are still being
collected at www.walkforkidscancer.org.au.
PN53318
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 « parra news 5