Committee members from the Women’s Fun Run have presented impressive cheques to representatives from the South West Women’s Health and Information Centre (SWWHIC) and the South West Refuge, after raising more than $5000 with this year’s event.
The Fun Run was held on Sunday, July 30 and more than 440 ladies participated in the walk, the 5km run and the 10km run.
The money was raised through participation costs and major sponsors, with $2500 each donated to both the South West Refuge and SWWHIC.
Ladies who participated in the event also donated goods like clothes and food and sanitary products for the South West Refuge.
The Women’s Fun Run has been taking over the inlet for 11 years raising money for important local women’s charities.
Committee member Brenda Kenney said the event continues to surprise them with great levels of participation each year.
“It was so well received this year, went without a hitch,” she said.
“There was free training for six weeks in the lead up to the event and we had a run coach come down for one of those to give some hints and tips to the ladies. Although that happened to be on the worst weathered night we ever had, but still they ran.
“But the weather was perfect on the day luckily.”
Ms Kenney said, besides raising important funds, the Fun Run has countless positive effects on women in the community.
“You make so many new friends and the camaraderie that you find through just this one event is great,” she said.
“Plus what it’s done for women’s health is amazing. It’s a different approach to promoting health, not just physical but the emotional side of it so that’s a positive.
“And the amount of ladies that have now joined the club – there’s more women than men in the Bunbury Runners Club now, and that’s from the Women’s Fun Run.
“And it gets people who didn’t think they could do it, to come out and have a go. A lot of the ladies that run it each year and particularly runners but they come back and do it each year and form teams and have a lot of fun.
The Bunbury Runners Club runs every Tuesday morning and Thursday night and meet every Saturday morning at Caf-fez.