Running for fun and Our Kids

THE DARREL Chapman Fun Run returns to Lismore for its 30th anniversary year on Sunday, August 25. Named in honour of the Lismore man, husband, father, academic, and sporting legend, who lost his battle with cancer in October 1992, all funds raised go to Our Kids, continuing Chapman’s legacy of supporting children’s health. The organisation works to keep young patients locally based when needing urgent medical care and aims to raise $25k towards infant emergency equipment at Lismore Base Hospital.

Fun and fitness for the whole community in honour of Darrel Chapman. Photo: SUNDAZE STUDIO

Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator Rebekka Battista said funds would go towards replacing much-needed critical equipment.

“This year, we are purchasing milk warmers for the special care nursery and baby wards. They are $2000 each, and we need at least eight,” Ms Battista said.

Our Kid’s supporter John Mills crosses the line in last year’s run and ready to run again. Photo: SUNDAZE STUDIO

“We are also replacing equipment, some of which has been there for 15 years. It’s the natural rollover of updating our earlier purchases of humidicrib and ventilators.

The humidicrib is around $36k, so this is an important fundraiser for us,” she said.

Austin Curtin stretches it out in readiness for the darrel Chapman Fun Run. Photo: SUPPLIED

Darrel Chapman was a highly regarded member of the Australian sporting community. He attended St. John’s College, Woodlawn and reached a sporting pinnacle playing rugby league for Australia. He captained South Sydney before becoming NSW Assistant Director of Sport and established the highly successful Human Movement Science and Sport Management program at Southern Cross University.

Tony Curtis hits the finish line the 2023 Fun Run. Photo: SUPPLIED

The fun run event honours Chapman’s achievements and legacy of championing athletes with disabilities to be included in mainstream sport, initially raising funds for the NSW Cancer Council and subsequently partnering with Our Kids in 2007.

Organisations from the Lismore community, including the National Australia Bank, Lismore City Council, and the Lord’s Taverners Northern NSW, will be represented on the 4km, 10km, 21km, and Virtual Marathon.

All ages having fun for community. Photo: SUPPLIED

Participants in the run will play a crucial role in improving the health services for children and babies in the Northern Rivers. All are encouraged to take part. The fun run begins at 7 am on August 25.