LIZAHN WENTZEL
Fairmont High School is hosting a fun run on Freedom Day, Wednesday April 27, to raise funds for school improvements and the Breatheasy Programme of the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
The 4km and 8km fun run/walk is open to everyone and will wind its way through the streets of Kenridge and Durbanville Hills.
“The course is well suited to a morning out for the family, being a public holiday we have delayed the start to 9am. This gives participants a chance to lie in a little before stretching their legs,” said organiser, Thane Masureik.
The event, hosted by the school’s parent forum, will bring much needed support to the hospital’s Breatheasy Programme, which is a unique specialist nurse-led initiative at the hospital. It empowers parents and guardians of children reliant on a tracheostomy or artificial ventilation for breathing, to provide safe care for their children at home, significantly improving their quality of life.
Chantel Cooper, head of fundraising at the hospital, says initiatives like this raise funds as well as awareness of the programme.
“Without this programme, many children would be living in hospital. Children should be at home with their families, playing and going to school like all children should. This programme allows children to live as normal a childhood as possible.”
Ms Cooper says staff posts in the Breatheasy programme are funded by the provincial Department of Health, and all consumables needed to support the hospital-based service are covered by the hospital budget.
“Additional financial support is, however, required in order to sustain the service. No provincial funding is available for the equipment essential for children’s tracheostomy care at home. Without this equipment, the programme cannot operate,” she said.
Mr Masureik said it is important that parents provide role models for their children.
“As a parent group at Fairmont High School, we are committed to the concept that a school is a central hub to the community and with that in mind we strive to ensure that each event we tackle has a social awareness aspect to it,” said Mr Masureik.
“If we as parents are seen by our children to be active in the school and community, we are confident that our children will mature into caring adults.”
The school’s last two projects were in support of Western Province Blood Transfusion Services and The Princess Project. The parent forum will write out a cheque to the Breatheasy programme based on the number of race entries.
Kenridge The Hills Ratepayers’ Association will be assisting the school to ensure that the event runs smoothly and successfully on the day, ensuring the least disruption to residents.
* Tickets can be booked online through Webtickets or at the school payments office at R50 an entry. Race numbers can be collected at the school’s reception on Monday April 25 and Tuesday April 26, from 7am to 8am and 2pm to 7pm.
Last minute bookings will be accepted on the day at R60 an entry. These entries will close at 8.45am.
* For more information, call 021 976 1147.
Big flips and fireworks as drivers burn up the track