Hot Temple takes Tri4KIDS online

WORKING with the Hot Fitness Temple, KIDS Foundation are ensuring their largest annual fundraiser can continue in 2020, albeit in an online capacity.

The virtual Tri4KIDS will replace participation in the cancelled Noosa Triathlon, running via Zoom on Sunday, 1 November, beginning at 7am.

Set to take about three hours, the usual swim leg will be replaced with a Hot Temple weights and body weight session mimicking half an hour of swimming, participants will watch the Noosa bike course while they cycle at home for 40 kilometres, and runners will coordinate their own 10-kilometer running circuit.

CEO and founder of the KIDS Foundation, Dr Susie O’Neill said the organisation’s resources have never been so stretched due to the COVID climate, and the Tri4KIDS fundraiser is “vitally important.”

“I’ve written a book on e-safety, but we don’t have the funds to distribute that, so we’re trying to raise money for that,” she said.

“As soon as we’re allowed, we’ll run camps with our burns survivors in fire effected areas to help with the economy. That’s a big project.”

Dr O’Neill said many of KIDS’ survivors are in lockdown Melbourne, which has been emotionally upsetting for the organisation.

“They’re kids that want you to put your arms around them. We can’t even go to Melbourne and support them.”

Dr O’Neill is grateful to the Hot Temple staff for volunteering their time. The virtual Tri4KIDS will include spot prizes and a virtual finish line.

The Noosa Triathlon usually raises between $100,000 and $200,000 for the KIDS Foundation each year, which is about 20 per cent of their income.

The KIDS Foundation supports children who have experienced injuries, burns and trauma. They are an advocate group, prevention educator, run recovery programs, and events and campaigns.

Register at hottemple.com.au/tri-4-kids.