The SMM Melbourne Marathon

CPEC VOLUNTEERS TO AGAIN SUPPORT SMM RUNNERS AT THE MCG.

The Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) is proud to have been chosen again by IMG as the Official Charity of the 2008 Samsung Melbourne Marathon (SMM). As a result of the successful association last year with IMG (IMG donation, runner sponsorship and CPEC providing 170 volunteers at the MCG on the day) CPEC made nearly $85,000.

CPEC is acknowledged as a world leader in providing specialist education programs for children with cerebral palsy. The CPEC professional staff who work at the Centre in Glen Waverley are renowned internationally as the best in their field. It costs around $13,000 per child per year to receive eight hours of service per week for 40 weeks. They receive nearly $5,000 per child from the State Government. The $8,000 shortfall is offset by the families who pay fees, do fundraising and seek donations.

Cerebral Palsy is normally caused by lack of oxygen for the baby before, during or after child birth which causes part of the brain die. The symptoms and severity are not normally recognizable until after 12 months when it can become apparent that the baby’s developmental skills or physical abilities are impaired. It is a lifetime condition. Hope of a fulfilling a sixty year plus life of potential and opportunity starts with the babies education when they are as young as 12 months old, if they can get past the waiting list. Many can become physically mobile even if it is with the aid of a walking frame or sticks, and can also learn how to communicate even though they are unable to speak.

THE SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CPEC VOLUNTEERS AND RUNNERS.

Last year CPEC provided 170 volunteers at the MCG. Acknowledgement of the efforts of the 2007 CPEC volunteers’ is best summarized by the comments by Dallas O’Brien, the Samsung Melbourne Marathon Event Director, who wrote that, “The biggest thank you should go to our official charity CPEC, true partners in every sense of the word in their support in providing over 170 volunteers at the MCG. Their professionalism and humble attitude was astounding, as too was the performance of many of the families and kids competing to raise money for such a sensational cause.”

This year CPEC are planning to provide 250 volunteers to support the Runners. We want to help make the Runners day successful, enjoyable and as stress free as possible. To enhance this partnership we are asking the Runners to make 2008 more financially rewarding for the benefit of CPEC and children with cerebral palsy. After you have registered to run in the event, simply nominate to Run for CPEC or join the TATE 08 Team who is raising funds for CPEC, by clicking on the action button.