The Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy
24 November 2024
'Kids Running For Kids'
Fun Run Registrations
Please use this link to register for the runs alongside Puffing Billy.
https://rotary-club-of-emerald-and-district.grassrootz.com/kids-fun-run-with-puffing-billy-2024
Train ride Registrations
Please use this link to register for train rides that take place alongside the runs.
The Kids Fun Run
In recent years the Kids Fun Run has supported The Monash Children’s Cancer Research 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
Run TImetable
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
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.
(NB: If you need to supervise your child on their run, do not book a train ride at the same time as they are running)!
Joyrides
$10 - Child/Concession
$15 - Adult
$40 - Family (2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children)
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 - Timetable
2023 Wrap Up
The 26th November 2023 turned out to be another great day for the Kids Fun Run With Puffing Billy. This was our 21st Kids Fun Run with a total of 431 entered. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit dreary and at sometimes wet, but despite that it turned out to be an enjoyable and successful day.
The Kids Fun Run is put on every year to raise money for a worthy, child-based charity and once again we gave all the proceeds to the Monash Childrens Hospital Cancer Centre, with a cheque for $50,000 being presented to the Centre in April 2024.
We had just under 450 little runners take part across the 6 runs.
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 2023 were:
- Puffing Billy Railway
- Ferntree Gully Nissan
- Emerald Co-op – Mitre 10
- Barry Plant Emerald
- Thats Right Bookkeeping
- TC Boxes
Cheque Presentation $50,000 - funds raised from the 2023 Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy
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 $771,250 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 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.
