Participants in Western Sydney's Largest charity race, the Coleman Greig Challenge, set a new record on Friday 21 September 2018, raising over $231,000 for children with special needs and newborn care.
In the sixth annual event organised by Coleman Greig, over 700 nurses, doctors, teachers, lawyers, sporting celebrities and business leaders contributed to the success of the day by either running, walking or cycling around Parramatta Park.
Former-Olympian and future Doctor Jana Pittman blew the starting whistle for this year's race, which raised vital funds for Westmead Hospital's neonatal unit, St Gabriel's School for children with special needs at Castle Hill and Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC). Jana was later joined by City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson in presenting both the morning's individual and team race winners with their respective medals.
Race founder and Principal within Coleman Greig's commercial property team Andrew Grima described the 2018 Coleman Greig Challenge as an outstanding success, and by far the best result yet.
"When we first started the Coleman Greig Challenge six years ago, we never thought it would become such an overwhelming success," said Mr Grima.
"We have a wonderful community spirit in Western Sydney which is clearly reflected by the incredible number of people who were prepared to be at Parramatta Park at 7am to raise money for children with special needs and newborn care."
"Thanks to the generous contributions of our participants, corporate sponsors and everyone who has supported our fundraising efforts, we've managed to raise over $225,000."
"The money raised goes towards the purchase of vital equipment which make a real difference to the lives of children in need" Mr Grima said.
"Westmead Hospital Foundation plans to use the funds to purchase two portable Cardiotocograph machines, which help detect and prevent conditions such as cerebral palsy, developmental delay and intellectual disability."
RIDBC plans to put the money towards the development of braille and large print books, as well as tactile pictures (including 3D models) designed to help young children to read.
Similarly, St Gabriel's School will be using their allocated donations to fund crucial technological and play equipment, including 16 iPads and associated speech apps, 2 electronic white boards and a group of in-ground trampolines to complete their newly developed playground area, funded by previous Coleman Greig Challenge fundraising efforts.
In the six years that Coleman Greig Lawyers has hosted the fundraising event, the firm is proud to have raised over $800,000 for a range of charitable organisations working to provide much needed assistance to the families of children with special needs across Greater Western Sydney.
