In a bid to raise awareness and money, a South West group are getting ready to host Bunbury’s first Cupid Undie Run.
The community is encouraged to hop, skip, dance their way through the fun run to raise money for the Children’s Tumour Foundation.
The event is held each year across Australia to raise awareness for neurofibromatosis, which causes tumours to form on the nerve cells.
After seeing friends struggle with their daughter’s diagnosis, Steve Tingey decided Bunbury needed a run too.
“We’re trying to put the fun back in fun run,” he said.
The event will be held on February 17, 2019, kicking off at the Waters Edge Cafe.
Dubbed as the most unheard of common condition, neurofibromatosis affects one in every 2,500 births, making it more common than Cystic Fibrosis.
Recently local author Josh Langley became the ambassador for the Bunbury event.
“I was asked by one of the mums whose kid has neurofibromatosis and she thought I would be a good fit in helping the kids feel comfortable with themselves,” he said.
“It’s good to be a role model for these kids and let them know that they’re ok the way they are and to help raise awareness.
“It’s going to be great, I’ll be dressing down for the day – we’re encouraging people to dress up and have fun.
“This is the first year it is being run in Bunbury and we were thinking we would get a few people but it looks like a massive number of people are going to be coming, registrations are through the roof.”
For Natasha Pitts the day will be extra special for her and her family after living with the condition her whole life along with her dad, brother, and two of her three children.
“I think it’s going to be quite overwhelming, I’ve had neurofibromatosis my whole life so for me to be part of an event like this with my family, it’s going to be really important,” she said.
“We’ve been quite lucky, we haven’t had too many issues so it’s more about raising awareness and watching the girls, they have genetic specialists appointments all the time.”
Merchandise will be available for purchase on the day.
For more visit cupidsundierun.com.au.
