When beloved Newcastle cancer fundraiser Charlie's Run 4 Kids was forced to cancel its five-day fun run this year, event director Cheyne Waddingham said they didn't even think of collecting donations.
The event was established in 2013 by eight-year-old Charlie Carr, who lost her tenacious battle with neuroblastoma in 2015. It has raised $700,000 over the past seven years to assist families battling the disease, but this year coronavirus has put a stop to the September event as well as the fundraising.
- Check out last year's event here.
"We just decided to pull the pin completely for a year," Mr Waddingham said.
"With all the Covid stuff, people were losing their jobs and their businesses. We didn't feel comfortable asking for anything.
"As far as the runners go, they were disappointed they couldn't do the run. But our charity is a community event, everyone in the community looks forward to it.
"So it was disappointing we weren't going to be able to support a family this year."
But a $10,000 donation has meant at least this part of Charlie's mission can be fulfilled for another year.
Sponsor DFK Crosbie has donated their usual $10,000 which funds a play therapist in the John Hunter Children's Hospital for a year.
It makes us realise how lucky we are to be part of the Newcastle community.
Cheyne Waddingham
"Of course, we're all hoping the situation with COVID improves and Charlie's Run 4 Kids can get back to normal next year," DFK Crosbie partner Derrick Eube said.
"There's so much uncertainty at the moment for everyone.
"But we feel good about the fact the play therapist at the John Hunter Children's Hospital Child Therapy Department can continue putting smiles on young faces."
Mr Waddingham said the charity was "overwhelmed" by the donation.
"It makes us realise how lucky we are to be part of the Newcastle community," he said.
