A GROUP of local runners who jogged from Adelaide to Ballarat for a good cause have come together to mark the fundraising effort\u2019s fortieth anniversary.<\/p>\n
The charity run was organised to benefit St John of God Hospital Ballarat, with participants running there from sister institution, Calvary Hospital Adelaide, in a total of 45 hours and 50 minutes.<\/p>\n
Geoff Russell, Don Moss, Michael Walsh, Stewart Pike, Chris Rowsell, Robert Allan, Greg Whitecross, Bill McLennan, Rea Burzacott, Denis Bowers, John Young, Peter Walsh, and Arnold James were all part of the team, with most running between 90 and 100 kilometres each.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s surreal when we look back on it,\u201d Mr Whitecross said. \u201cThere were times we didn\u2019t think we were going to get there, but we all chipped in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe raised $14,742 for the hospital and completed our fundraiser on August 9th, 1983. The hospital was able to purchase a humidicrib for premature babies and this was used for 15 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe remaining money went towards a nephroscope which was used to minimise scarring for removing kidney stones.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy daughter and Stewart\u2019s daughter actually ended up in the humidicrib, which had the inscription, \u2018St John of God Interstate Relay Team\u2019 on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, six original members of the team reunited at the Ballarat Golf Club, and director of mission at St John of God Hospital, Maureen Waddington, attended on behalf of the organisation.<\/p>\n
Three of the original runners, Denis Bowers, John Young, and Arnold James have passed on.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reunion was fantastic,\u201d Mr Whitecross said. \u201cWho knows who will be here for our 50th, so we\u2019ve decided we need to get together annually for a dinner every year now on the 9th of August.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A GROUP of local runners who jogged from Adelaide to Ballarat for a good cause have come together to mark the fundraising effort\u2019s fortieth anniversary. The charity run was organised to benefit St John of God Hospital Ballarat, with participants running there from sister institution, Calvary Hospital Adelaide, in a total of 45 hours and […]<\/p>\n