Latest news with #GoldfieldsFamilyAssistanceFund
West Australian
21-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Avid runner sets five days of 50km challenges to support Goldfields families with sick kids
A passionate Kalgoorlie-Boulder runner has set himself a physically and emotionally gruelling challenge to support local families with sick children. Jayden McKenna will run 50km a day for five consecutive days in a bid to raise funds for the Rotary Club of Boulder's Goldfields Family Assistance Fund. The fund provides financial support for families travelling to and staying in Perth for their children's medical care. McKenna aims to raise $10,000 for the cause via a GoFundMe campaign titled 5 Days of Running 50 k's — For Goldfields Families, which has already reached more than $3800. 'I always had the thought of doing a run and giving back,' he said. 'Being a local and seeing what the Goldfields Family Assistance Fund does, I thought 'what better way to give back to the local community'. 'If I can do something hard for five days to make life a little easier for someone else, I'll consider it a privilege.' The bold campaign will begin on July 20 when McKenna runs a 50km ultramarathon from Coolgardie to Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex as part of this year's Goldfields Pipeline Marathon. He will tackle the same course in reverse the following day. Then, inspired by the city's historic Balzano Barrow Race which has not taken place in more than a decade, McKenna will push a barrow from Centennial Park to the abandoned town of Kanowna and back on day three. 'I wanted to try and relive a little bit of history,' he said. On day four he will run laps of Karlkurla Bushland Park, before completing his final 50km run around Kalgoorlie Golf Course on July 24. The 32-year-old said he had been working on his endurance fitness leading up to the challenge. 'Training has been pretty good, over the last four days I've put a few kilometres in the legs,' he said. 'Whenever I've done an event, the next day I think, could I back it up and do it again? 'Because that's a lot harder than the (first) day. 'They're all going to be hard, but towards the end it'll get harder and harder. 'Day four and five are going to be the hard ones.' The community is encouraged to get behind the cause in whatever way they can, either by making a donation, sharing the campaign, or cheering him on in person at Karlkurla Bushland Park or Kalgoorlie Golf Course. McKenna's GoFundMe page can be found at Locals can join the journey by running a kilometre, walking a lap, or even attempting the full 50km challenge alongside him. McKenna's campaign can be followed on Instagram @fuelmycup.
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Mascot race all about raising awareness and helping sick kids
Racegoers at Sunday's Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club meeting were treated to an unusual spectacle as seven local mascots stepped onto the turf. The Rotary Club of Boulder hosted its fifth annual mascot race to raise funds and awareness for its Goldfields Family Assistance Fund. They shuffled and sprinted their way to the finishing post, with Goldfields Children Charity's Timmy Bear crossing first. It was a close contest between the Rotary club's Boulder Bear and the Kalgoorlie Miner's own Miner Mouse, who placed second and third, respectively. The line-up also included the Goldfields Giants' Nugget, Population Health's Super Needle, Hannans North Tourist Mine's Paddy the Prospector, and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Kitty Kangaroo. Rotarian Stu Fleming said the initiative was more about raising awareness for the club's community projects rather than rattling the donation tin. 'The home straight was lined up with kids, and they all cheered the mascots as they came down the home straight which was great to see,' he said. 'It's about letting people know who we are and what we do, and we think the mascot race is a great way to do that.' The club's Goldfields Family Assistance Fund supports families travelling to and staying in Perth for their children's medical care. Raffles and games including a coin toss and paper plane competition took place outside the KBRC marquee to raise funds. Sunday's race meeting featured the Peter Palmer Memorial Handicap. Mr Palmer served on several local boards and committees, including the Rotary club, during his 22 years in the Goldfields.
West Australian
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Goldfields mascots take their marks for charity
The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club will play host to an unusual foot chase this weekend. The Rotary Club of Boulder's fifth annual mascot race will take place during Sunday's KBRC meeting to raise money and awareness for its Goldfields Family Assistance Fund. The fund supports families travelling to and staying in Perth for their children's medical care. Rotarian Stu Fleming said the mascot race never failed to be an entertaining affair. 'It was something we started to raise a bit of awareness for our Goldfields Family Assistance Fund,' he said. 'Hopefully parents bring their kids down to interact with the mascots and watch them run down the home straight. 'And we've got a few games planned in the marquee.' The mascot race will take place after the $20,000 KB Cleaning Queens Maiden (1200m) which is scheduled for 1.55pm. Mascots taking part in the race will include the Rotary club's Boulder Bear, Goldfields Children Charity's Timmy Bear, Goldfields Giants' Nugget, KBCCI's Kitty Kangaroo and the Kalgoorlie Miner's own Miner Mouse, among others. Sunday's race meeting will also feature the Peter Palmer Memorial Handicap. Mr Palmer served on several local boards and committees during his 22 years living in the Goldfields.
