A SIMPLE Australian idea for a Mothers Day Fun Run at Kandahar Air Field (KAF) has resulted in hundreds of people hitting the road and raising thousands of dollars for cancer research. More than 200 personnel from across the International Security Assistance Force challenged the starter’s whistle for the 5km circuit around the sprawling airfield as part of the Australian Mothers Day Classic Fun Run initiative. Event organiser, Squadron Leader Sarah Wheal, said the idea for the fun run originated in Camp Baker after a suggestion from some keen runners who were disappointed to miss this year’s event back home. “There aren’t too many people who have not been touched by cancer in some way, whether they know someone or survived it themselves, and we thought we’d just have a run on Mother’s Day morning to raise some money,” she said. “The final tally was $4160.44 (AUD) which is a great result. “I was pretty taken aback by the response – we’ve had more than 200 people register and donate to run in the event and other people have passed the hat around their workplace to donate. “We’ve had personnel from the ADF, US Air Force, US Army along with members of the US Navy, UK forces, Slovakia and Belgium participate. “It has been a great success for a very worthy cause and it was awesome to see pink shirts for as far as the eye could see on a military base.” Captain Mary-Beth Neill, US Navy, Commanding Officer of the NATO Role 3 Facility at KAF, heaped praise on the Australian organisers and opened up about her cancer experience. “I run because I can. I ran because it is for breast cancer research and I am a breast cancer survivor. My friend and colleague Sarah Wheal has done an amazing job to lead this event,” CAPT Neill said. “It’s an amazing thing and it’s hard to believe it was seven years ago, I was getting ready to deploy and found a lump, had a mammogram, the next thing I know I am having full treatment. “I am a survivor, life does go on and it actually gets better. Today is about running for those still fighting the battle, those still challenged, those who have overcome and those who have lost their life to breast cancer. “We shouldn’t have to do that anymore, there is going to be a day when there is no cancer.” United States Army Lieutenant Roy James won the men’s race in 17mins 21sec while British Army Captain Fiona Cunningham took out the women’s race in 22min 30sec. Australian runners Lieutenant David Hodge from the 205 Coalition Advisory Team (205 CAT) finished second in the men’s race while Corporal Hayley Neville from Force Support Unit-9 finished third in the women’s race. Results: Men’s: Lt Roy James (US Army) 17:21, Lt David Hodge (Aus Army), LCPL Scott Anderson (Aus Army) Women’s: Capt Fiona Cunningham (UK Army) 22:30, Lt Tara Collins (US Coastguard), CPL Hayley Neville (Aus Army).
Posted on: Fri, 23 May 2014 12:15:56 +0000
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