Collinsville Turns Pink for Breast Cancer Fun Run

Collinsville will transform into a ‘sea of pink’ for its first International Women’s Day Fun Run next month with local teams already raising $3600 to help Mater Foundation fight breast cancer.

More than 60 people will take part in the virtual iteration of the run, many from Glencore Coal’s Collinsville Open Cut operation, including organiser Alice Randell.

Ms Randell has encouraged her colleagues and other members of the community to take part and was inspired to start the virtual fun run in Collinsville by a Brisbane-based friend who had registered to take part in the 20,000-strong Brisbane fun run on March 12.

“And last year, I started my fitness journey after putting on a few kilos. When I saw Anna had registered, I thought, yes, I am doing this!” Mrs Randell said.

The International Women’s Day Fun Run supports women with breast cancer and raises vital funds for breast cancer research and services at Mater hospitals across Queensland.

Others who want to join the event need to simply complete a five-kilometre virtual fun run in their communities from March 6-12.

Across Queensland, almost 3000 participants have already signed up to take part in the virtual event, with teams running in Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Mackay, the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, and the Redlands.

Ms Randell is calling on other residents to join or copy her 'Collinsville Sea of Pink' team.

“I want others in small rural towns to join the fight against breast cancer,” she said.

“It’s important to get people moving and be active – and we all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer.”

She said the event was a great way to celebrate International Women’s Day while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

"Embracing a healthy lifestyle isn't always easy and I'm hoping that this event can show people that it can be done and that it can be fun too," she said.

“It can be hard to be focused on health and fitness in a small community, particularly when we don’t have the same state-of-the-art facilities that are available in metropolitan areas,” Ms Randell said.

Mater Foundation Chief Executive Officer Andrew Thomas said the fun run had been a much-loved event for more than 30 years and had been expanded to allow Queenslanders to participate wherever they live in the state.

Last year’s fun run was cancelled due to the 2022 Brisbane floods, but fund-raisers and virtual runners still managed to raise an incredible $1.75 million.

Participation in the previous 2021 fun run was capped at 13,500 and has now been increased in response to public demand.

“The response from the community this year has been overwhelming,” Mr Thomas said.

“We’re delighted that 20,000 Queenslanders will be joining the sea of pink in Brisbane this year and that so far another 3100 will be running in their own virtual events.

“If you live in other parts of Queensland, you can still be part of this fantastic celebration. Register with us and walk or run in your own community – every dollar you raise will help women fighting breast cancer.”

This year, Mr Thomas said the event organisers aim to raise more than $1.75m to provide personalised support services and state-of-the-art equipment to better diagnose and treat patients, as well as investing in life-saving breast cancer research at Mater.

“Please join us and show women with breast cancer that we’re right beside them during their most difficult time,” he said.

To learn more, visit: fundraise.mater.org.au/event/funrun-2023/virtual-how-it-works

WHAT: Virtual International Women’s Day Fun Run

WHERE: Anywhere in your neighbourhood (that’s safe!)

WHEN: March 6 to 12

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Collinsville Local Alice Randell is joining the Virtual International Women's Day Fun Run in early March

Mrs Randell and her ‘Sea of Pink’ team – which comprises community members from Collinsville and other employees from Glencore Coal’s Collinsville Open Cut operation

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