Beach Bolt Makes Its Way Back To Coogee

By Madeleine Gray on July 6, 2016 in News

Children are among the most vulnerable people in any society. They must trust in the goodness and decency of others. They are reliant on the integrity of the structures that surround them. It goes without saying that child abuse is an insidious and powerful problem – especially in the home, where kids are presumed to be safe with their families. Every day there are more than 145 substantiated reports of child abuse and neglect.

Barnardos Australia is one of the leading child protection charities in the country, helping stop child abuse by finding safe homes for abused children through foster care and adoption, and working with families to prevent abuse from occurring.

Barnardos is a non-government charity that runs entirely on donations. The Barnardos Beach Bolt, which takes place in Coogee, has become a crucial fundraising event for the organisation and this year it will be putting locals and visitors through their paces on July 31.

The Beach Bolt is a one-mile dash and the 2016 event will see a slight change of course from last year. Runners will now start on the soft sand at Coogee Beach, race up the hill over Coogee headland, and then return to the sand to cross the finish line. This year there will also be a mini-bolt for kids, which involves a fifty-metre sprint on the sand.

When participants register online, they are automatically given a personal fundraising page to make spreading the word and gathering sponsorship dollars even easier. All funds raised go straight to Barnardos.

The Barnardos Beach Bolt is supported by a plethora of committed ambassadors including Nova FM’s Matt De Groot, Ironwoman Tara Coleman, Triple M NRL commentator Anthony Maroon, cake creative Katherine Sabbath, and model Penelope Benson.

Ms Coleman has been involved with the event since its inception and was inspired to get behind it largely because of the great cause it represents.

“I cannot imagine growing up without my family or a stable, safe and loving home,” she said. “We need to be the voices for the kids who don’t have what they deserve. Barnardos Australia is a great cause.”

This year, Beach Bolt organisers are aiming to raise $50,000 to help kids in need. There are some awesome prizes up for grabs for the highest fundraising kids and adults, and for the fastest runners on the day.

Barnardos is encouraging everyone to rock up in their best superhero outfits, because that’s what competitors really are: superheroes to the victims of child abuse.

For more information about the Barnardos Beach Bolt and to register for the race, head to www.beachbolt.com.au. You won’t regret it.