Despite predictions of disruption by Cyclone Luci, Saturday (15 March) morning dawned fine and calm in Wellington for the annual Pat Farry Trust Fun Run & Walk. Supporters numbering 150 ran, walked and talked around the waterfront course to support the Queenstown based national trust. For the third year, the Fun Run & Walk was held in association with the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network’s (NZRGPN) annual conference. Conference attendees, many colleagues and peers of the late Dr Pat Farry, were joined by Wellingtonians raising money for and awareness of the Trust’s work.

Envisaged as an event to bring community and health professionals together in an informal and fun way, it is also an opportunity for the Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust to let Pat Farry’s peers know about the Trust’s achievements outside of the meeting room.

In this context, according to Simone Flight, Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust Project Manager, the Trust is thrilled that not only did the Fun Run achieve these aims, in 2014 sponsorship, in-kind support and donations raised the equivalent of more than $9,000 covering the cost of running the event with a profit to spare for the first time.

“In only our third year this is great as it means our all important promotional efforts are contributing to not cutting into our scholarship funds,” said Ms Flight, adding that “donations are still coming in via Givealittle.”

Sponsors included Medicines NZ and NZMA who sponsored t-shirts and race bags, and Lone Star Wellington, Tiaki Pilates, Farrys Menswear, Sol Pharmacy, Reading Cinemas, and La Hoods The Chemist who sponsored prizes for winning individuals and teams and spot prizes.

To keep it fresh, the format of the annual Fun Run & Walk is reviewed before each outing. New in 2014, three New Zealand Defence Force trainers led a vigorous warm up that had participants ready to sprint the course or at least minimize any injuries. The Pat Farry Trust Fun Run Team Award for a conference team was presented for the first time to the winning conference team.

The idea came from Dr Aniva Lawrence from Northland whose team Ki A Ora Ngati Wai won in 2013 and donated a trophy to be awarded from 2014. Dr Lawrence has asked that each year, when passing on the award, the previous year’s team “takes that moment to highlight a true team player in rural health as often these people are not acknowledged enough”.

In passing the Pat Farry Trust Fun Run Team Award to 2014 winners Team NZ Medical Association, Dr Lawrence speaking on behalf of Ki A Ora Ngati Wai dedicated the trophy to community nurse Hohipera Te Awhi Valery Whiu known as Peri Whiu.

“Aunty Peri was a great example to me of how a health provider should be when working in the communities they are from,“ said Dr Lawrence.

Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust Trustee Sue Farry said that the Trust continues to look for ways to fund its scholarship programme and projects beyond the generous donations of individuals.

“The Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust is hopeful that with a growing track record of events, fundraising and scholarships, the timing is right for successful grant applications in 2014,” said Mrs Farry.

ENDS

2015 Pat Farry Trust Fun Run & Walk Prizewinners

First Individual Walk: First equal Justine Lancaster and Christine Heron
Prizes: Sol Pharmacy Trilogy Luxury Pack and Tiaki Pilates one month membership

First Individual Run: First equal Darryl Joyce and Vicki Jackson
Prizes: Sol Pharmacy Trilogy Luxury Pack and Farrys $100 voucher

First Team Walk and most sponsorship raised for Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust: Foxley-Perkins Family (10 people)
Prize: $200 Lone Star Voucher

First Team Run: Tiaki Pilates (5 people)
Prize: $200 Lone Star Voucher

Spot Prizes:
First to arrive: Penny Mudford ($20 Lone Star Voucher)

100th Registrant: Brenda Chilvers (Tiaki Pilates one month membership)

Youngest participants: Osca and Victor Foxley Perkins (Reading Cinemas Double Pass and $20 Lone Star Voucher)

Drawn from the hat: Rebecca Canner, Becky Gray, Johanna De Jong, Milla Ellis-Wood, (Reading Cinemas Double Pass or $20 Lone Star Voucher)

ENDS

See our Facebook gallery for images:

High resolution versions of these images are available for publication. All entrants completed entry forms giving permission for their images to be used.

Simone Flight
Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust
Project Manager
Tel: 021 1656 218
Email:

About the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network:

The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network is the only nationwide membership-based organisation in New Zealand representing the interests of rural general practice.

For more information contact
Rob Olsen, New Zealand Rural General Practice Network
www.rgpn.org.nz
Mob: 021 822 468
Tel: 04 495 5887