The Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy
26 November 2023
'Kids Running For Kids'
The Kids Fun Run
In recent years the Kids Fun Run has supported The Monash Children’s Cancer Centre which is an integral part of the new Monash Children’s Hospital and cares for approximately 30% of Victoria’s childhood cancer patients.
In 2023 our Kids Fun Run With Puffing Billy will be supporting the same wonderful cause.
Cost of entry in a run - $25 per child
Train Rides
Fun Run Rides - $5
The Fun Run Rides go from the station, up the track to the start of that fun run and then sets off back to the station with the children running alongside – trying to beat the train. Passengers on the train have the added joy of having the little ones running with them. The length of the train ride corresponds with the fun run.
Joyrides - $10
Joyrides 1 & 2 go from the station up the track for 10/12 mins (approx.) and then return to the station – a 20/25 mins (approx.) round trip.
Train Rides on Puffing Billy
9.50 Purple Fun Run Ride
10.10 Orange Fun Run Ride
10.30 Blue Fun Run Ride
11.10 Joyride 1
11.35 Yellow Fun Run Ride
12.00 Red Fun Run Ride
12.35 Green Fun Run Ride
1.05 Joyride 2
2022 Wrap Up
What a brilliant day we all had on 26 November 2022. The weather was perfect and lots of kids and their families had a fabulous day making great memories and helping children less fortunate than them. So pleased that we raised $50,000 for such a wonderful cause, Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre.
They will use the money to appoint an additional member of staff, a Clinical Fellow, to the medical team. We have agreed to have Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre as the beneficiary of the next KFRWT.
We had just under 500 little runners take part across the 6 runs.
In 2019 we were thrilled to see the children raise $18,346 but this year they did even better donating a staggering $22,626 to the event.
The day would not be possible without the members of The Rotary Club of Emerald & District, their families and friends who turn out year after year with limitless energy and enthusiasm – many thanks.
We are always appreciative and grateful for the support the event gets from our major sponsors who are so crucial to the success of the fun run. They not only support us logistically and financially but make a huge contribution on the day itself. Our Major Sponsors for 2022 were:
- Puffing Billy Railways
- Ferntree Gully Motor Group
- Emerald Co-op – Mitre 10 & Barry Plant Emerald
- Yarra Valley Snack Foods – The Wholesome Food Company
- Thats Right Bookkeeping
- Bicycle Superstore
- Toot Toot Toys
History of Kids Fun Run with Thomas
The inaugural Kids Fun Run with Thomas was held in October 2002. The annual event has grown to become the signature fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Emerald & District Inc. raising over $671,000 since its inception.
In keeping with the Fun Run’s theme of ‘Kids Helping Kids’, all of the money raised has been donated to projects supporting and assisting children. The Fun Run is structured around 5 events, where kids aged 3 to 8 years, run against Thomas the Tank Engine, and a 6th event sees 9 to 12 year olds running against Puffing Billy.
From the beginning, the Kids Fun Run with Thomas was seen to be multi faceted. It was viewed as not only a fund raising event, but also a community service event. With entertainment in the park, it has grown to be a ‘Family Fun Day’, and offers local groups the opportunity to conduct their own fundraising and promotes the township of Gembrook.
In recognition of the level of success that the event has enjoyed, in 2010 the ‘Kids Fun Run with Thomas’ was awarded the Cardinia Shire ‘Community Projects Award’ and in 2011 was awarded the Rotary District 9810 ‘Community Service Award’. Rotary International Awarded the Club with a Significant Achievement Award for the event in 2015.
