Where the money goes: introducing our 2023 cause with the Bendigo Health Fundraising and Foundation
Through your participation the Bendigo Ford Fun Run will raise much-needed funds for the critical work of the Bendigo Health Fundraising and Foundation.
Play is so important to the healthy development of children that the United Nations consider it a basic right for every child.
That’s why the Bendigo Health Foundation are setting out to create amazing spaces for their youngest patients to use as part of their recovery and rehabilitation. The Bendigo Ford Fun Run is raising funds to build an all abilities outdoor play space to complement the redevelopment of the Clinical Services Campus on the site of the former hospital in Lucan Street.
The play space will become a place for therapists and patients in the Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service to use during therapy session and other times when children within the service just wish to play.
Children like 6 year old Amelia will one of those to benefit. Amelia – who is one of our 2023 Bendigo Ford Fun Run Ambassadors – is pictured below at our recent Launch Event with her family and the Bendigo Health Foundation team.
Like other children with cerebral palsy, Chloe has multiple appointments every week to encourage movement skills such as sitting, walking, playing, dressing and toileting. As she grows, having direct access to an inclusive play space during therapy will make sessions more engaging and fun.
Fiercely independent Amelia loves playing with and chasing her friends and older brother. Like other Prep aged children, friendships and play are essential to Amelia’s physical, social and emotional well-being. Amelia has attended regular rehabilitation sessions at Bendigo Health the majority of her life and her family are strong advocates for the benefits she has received.
More than 100 children from across the Loddon Mallee region are treated by Bendigo Health’s rehabilitation services at any one time.
Visit the Bendigo Health Fundraising and Foundation website >
From the staff perspective
Christie Verbeek (pictured above left) is the Stream Leader of the Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service at Bendigo Health. Here, Christie shares a staff perspective on the impact the new playspace will have in the future:
“At present, the Outpatient Paediatric Allied Health staff do not have a dedicated outdoor space to complete therapeutic play and rehabilitation with children who have additional needs. We are thrilled to partner with the Bendigo Ford Fun Run in 2023, and would like to extend our sincere appreciation that the proceeds of the fun run are being donated towards the creation of an outdoor accessible play-space at Bendigo Health.
Once we have enough funding to get the project started, the aim is to build an accessible all abilities play-space for children who may find it challenging to access other playgrounds across the Bendigo & Loddon Mallee region.
The space will promote therapeutic engagement and allow our skilled paediatric clinicians to work with children and their families to ensure we are providing the most interesting and relevant therapy possible.
I will be running the 10km fun-run and look forward to the challenge!”
~ Christie Verbeek
Stream Leader – Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service (Bendigo Health)
(Pictured above left)