West Coast Eagles Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis and veteran goal sneak Mark LeCras will join forces with likes of WA boxer Renae Wauhop and 96FM’s Brad ‘Fitzi’ Fitzgerald and Carmen Braidwood to participate in the sixth annual Red Nose Sunshine Beach Run next year.
The Sunshine Beach Run was founded by West Coast Eagles physiotherapist Chris Perkin, who sought to honour the memory of his stillborn son, Jake, and wife Cindy, who died just a week after the couples’ tragedy in 2009.
Although the run’s ultimate goal is to raise funds for Red Nose, Perkin said the event also offered parents who had endured miscarriages, stillbirths or SIDS a forum to share their stories and find comfort in the company of people who had shared their experience.
“Sharing stories of loss is the first step to a brighter future,” Perkin said.
“Bottling it up and trying to deal with it alone isn’t healthy.”
More than 1200 people ran in last year’s event, including Priddis, LeCras and several other West Coast Eagles.
Priddis said it was an event not to be missed.
“As soon as you do have your own kids it is an issue that crosses your mind regularly,” he said.
“You want to make sure that you’ve got enough information to help you through those times. I couldn’t be happier to support Chris and such a worthy foundation like Red Nose.”
LeCras said the run was a must-attend event on his 2017 calendar.
“Anyone who’s got a family or is thinking about having a family should come down and support this great event and cause,” he said.
“We’re hoping to raise a record total and throw our support behind WA families that have suffered the tragic loss of a child.”
Every year countless Western Australian families experience the heartbreaking loss of a baby or child. Red Nose advocates for funding and research into the causes for unexpected child death and provides bereavement support and counselling to families who have experienced stillbirth or the sudden and unexpected death of a child, regardless of the cause.
In conjunction with its National Scientific Advisory Group, the not-for-profit organisation also ensures its ‘Sleep Safe, My Baby’ health promotion program is evidence-based and provides the most up-to-date message for parents, health professionals and carers of babies.
The 2017 edition of the Sunshine Beach Run will take place at City Beach on Sunday, February 19.
To register for the 1km, 3km or 5km run or walk events, please visit http://www.sunshinebeachrun.com.au/
