Sunshine Beach Run for SIDS and Kids

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Posted 2016-01-10 by Jay Crisp Crow ⇒ follow

Sun 21 Feb 2016

Imagine the sand under your feet, the family assembled and excited, and the sense of coming together with other families to raise money for a truly worthy cause.

Entries are now open for the 5th annual , to be held at City Beach in February.

The event was founded in 2012 by West Coast Eagles Physiotherapist, Chris Perkin. He was driven to do so after the tragic loss of his stillborn son Jake and his wife Cindy in 2009.

Chris dedicates the event to anyone who has been affected by the loss of a child."On my eldest son Ben's sixth birthday, my wife Cindy was rushed into hospital for an emergency C-section to deliver our stillborn son Jake. Just four days later Cindy slipped into a coma in the middle of the night and died shortly after. Part of what the Sunshine Beach Run is about for me, but also for others who have also lost a child or partner, is trying to emphasise what we have lost, but also give my two boys, Sam and Ben, a good memory of their mum and brother Jake.""Cindy was my sunshine and that is what the run is about," he said.

Melanie Manning, together with her husband Sean, and children,were the first people to register for the 2016 Sunshine Beach Run when registrations opened late last year and said she understands only too well what Chris means.

Melanie has participated in the last three Sunshine Beach Runs in honour of her daughter Mylee, who passed away at just 15 and a half months old in 2012. "We put Mylee to bed one night as a healthy, happy little girl and in the morning when I went to get her, every parent's worst nightmare was our reality. Mylee had passed away during the night without any warning. Not even a sound," Melanie explained. "The Sunshine Beach Run is a beautiful event and gives us the opportunity to remember our daughter and channel our grief in a positive way. It is important for us to show our other children that even though bad things can happen in life it's how you rise from the tragedy that defines you: the Sunshine Beach Run gives us that opportunity."

Melanie said she hoped her story would raise awareness of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). Simply explained, SUDC is sudden infant death syndrome occurring in a child over the age of one.

Melanie encourages people to support the Sunshine Beach Run in February to raise much-needed funds for SIDS and Kids.

The Sunshine Beach Run will be held at City Beach on Sunday 21st February 2016. Participants can walk or run 1km, 3km or 5km.

The event is suitable for all ages and there will be loads of on the day entertainment, including a Celebrity Beach Sprint, free activities for the kids and more.

Money raised helps SIDS and Kids continue their research and education into miscarriage, stillbirth and SIDS/SUDC and fund their comprehensive counseling service for Western Australian families grieving the loss of a child.

You can register via their website [LINK=https://2016sunshinebeachrun.gofundraise.com.au/cms/sidsregistration]here.
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