The Inaugural Variety Santa Fun Run

With a break in the stormy weather of the previous 24 hours the inaugural Variety Santa Fun Run got away to a perfect start in Toowoomba yesterday morning (13/12/2015). The 317 participants, including many families with young children, walked or ran the 5 km event in the cloudy but fine and cooler conditions, with each person dressed in Santa outfits supplied by event organisers. The event was declared a major success and provided people with a sense of fun in this festive season.

The event was the culmination of many months of planning between Variety Qld, The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and our Rotary Club. Event director Ian O'Donnell and his committee were ably assisted by Melanie Coultas and Peter Rookas form the hospital as well as Marty Molloy from Variety.

This year we had hoped for more numbers however next year we expect much greater involvement by the public who will better understand the nature of this fun event and the purpose of its fund raising.

Past president of the Rotary Club of Toowoomba South, Graham Newnham presented Peter Rookas with a plaque in appreciation of his contribution and commitment to our Club in the promotion of this Santa Fun Run and also the Kokoda challenge Toowoomba events since 2013. Chair of the Rotary Edge, Tressa Lindenberg assisted Graham in the presentation on behalf of our club.The day started with a Zumba warmup. With all the Santas getting into the swing of things the event started at 8am and finished at Toowoomba Plaza car park at 9am.

The funds raised by the Rotary Club of Toowoomba South will go towards equipment in the paediatric section of the Toowoomba Base hospital.