The KIDS Foundation will proudly take on the Noosa Triathlon with its largest-ever cohort of eight Teams, 72 athletes, all wearing the KIDS colours and competing with purpose.
Together, they’ve already raised more than $140,000 with a target of $200,000 to support children and families recovering from traumatic life-altering injuries, burns, and other degenerative health conditions.
Leading the charge in the the swim leg for one of the KIDS teams is Clayton Nicolas, a KIDS Survivor, volunteer, and participant in the KIDS Empowering RIGHTS Program based in Noosa who had his life changed after a mining accident in which he received 55 per cent burns.
On the bike leg will be KIDS Founder and CEO Dr Susie O’Neill who with her own heart health challenges, strongly believes that from bad things, good things can grow.
And powering through the run leg is KIDS Ambassador Mick Marshall, a record-breaking endurance athlete whose life changed forever when he fell from a wind turbine, suffering catastrophic leg injuries. Mick just completed the world’s toughest ultra race, the UTMB Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in France as an adaptive athlete and is returning to join the team on crutches just six weeks after major surgery.
“I’m extremely honoured to be participating in the Noosa Triathlon with two of the most extraordinary humans. I believe our team embodies the very heart of KIDS Foundation and truly represents, all abilities inclusiveness, overcoming adversity, with the can-do mindset that helps our children and families recover and build stronger lives,” Susie said.
Susie established the KIDS (Kids In Dangerous Situations) Foundation in 1993 for children with traumatic life-altering injuries, burns, and genetic conditions that change appearance and physical capabilities.
Their purpose is to help navigate the challenges of life-altering appearance and capabilities following burns, accidents, abuse incidents, and life-altering genetic conditions and educate to promote safety and wellbeing, through camps, recovery and equine programs, and education in early learning settings.
For more, visit www.kidsfoundation.org.au
