This Boxing Day I will take off from the Gabba by foot, embarking on a nearly 100km journey over three days which will culminate at the Tallebudgera Surf Life Saving Club, designed to raise funds for Borne HMRI.
Borne HMRI is a science collaboration between Borne UK and HMRI that aims to significantly reduce the prevalence of preterm birth through medical research. There is no obvious link between me and Borne HMRI - my family are so lucky that preterm birth hasn’t affected us personally, but the more I have learnt about just how common it is for women to go into labour prematurely, and just how many babies are lost or are born with a disability due to arrival pre-term, the more I am inspired by the work Borne HMRI are doing to try and lead global research projects to change these outcomes.
I first heard of Borne HMRI through my friends, Sarah and Dean Mumm, whose own experiences are heartbreaking. Sarah has given birth to 6 children, 4 of whom were lost due to preterm birth. While he was playing Rugby in the UK, Dean was connected with Borne and when they returned to live in Australia the pair of them were compelled to launch the project down under, and partner with the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
They work tirelessly to raise funds for Borne HMRI, with absolutely all of the money they raise going directly into funding world-leading research, including the appointment of the first Borne HMRI Early-Career Fellowship - Carol Wang – who works under the tutelage of the distinguished Laureate Professor, Roger Smith AM.
This is a significant undertaking for somebody who did his first ever 10km fun run only a few months ago, and at time of writing has never walked further than 15km in one go.
The first day will see me travel from the Gabba to Ormeau (just over 40km), the second from Ormeau to Southport (approximately 33km), and the third from Southport to Tallebudgera (just under 20km) – with the subtle twist that the third and final day will see me stop in at 10 different Surf Clubs on the Gold Coast for a schooner at each (don’t worry, not all 10 will be alcohol, drink responsibly!)
So how can you help? You can support me financially - all donations, no matter how big or small, are welcomed – or you can join me for any part of that journey if you like. You can also share this initiative throughout your professional and personal networks, and if you’d like to know more, including how your business or organisation can support, please contact me on pjfairbairn@hotmail.com. Thanks so much for your support!
Better you than me!