The Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy
Was held on 24 November 2024
'Kids Running For Kids'
Thank You to Our 2024 Sponsors
Thank You to Our 2024 Showbag Sponsors
2023 Wrap Up
- Puffing Billy Railway
- Ferntree Gully Nissan
- Emerald Co-op – Mitre 10
- Barry Plant Emerald
- Thats Right Bookkeeping
- TC Boxes
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 $812,250 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 12 years, run 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.