Lions Foundation Ambassador Sari-Elle Kraemer with Ball Park Parkrun 2nd place finisher Jobe Ollington and 1st place finisher Dallas Johnson.
Childhood cancer once had a survival rate of less than 10 per cent according to Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation (ALCCRF).
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Now, thanks in part to the Australian Lions Foundation and its members, that figure is now closer to 80 per cent with work continuing.
On the weekend of October 25-26, Corowa Lions Club hosted the 48th annual District 201V6 Convention where they had the opportunity to leave their indelible mark on the fight against childhood cancer.
Headlining the conference was Lions Federation ambassador and ultra marathon runner Sari-Elle Kraemer, who on the morning of the conference ran a marathon through the streets of Corowa before joining up with the Ball Park Parkrun.
Sari-Elle started running in 2019, using her epic runs to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the Australian Lions Foundation and its many causes, culminating in the most epic of marathons in 2024: the Mt Everest Marathon.
She said the experience of running at over 5,000m elevation after the nine day hike to Everest Base Camp felt like breathing through a straw.
“But the scenery is just stunning,” Sari-Elle said.
“It’s amazing travelling all that way and seeing so many people from Lions, all there for the same cause.”
She completed her Corowa marathon on Saturday, running the last kilometre from Ball Park to the conference venue at St Mary’s Corowa Primary School assembly hall.
During her welcome address she spoke warmly of Corowa and her encounter at Parkrun with two young Corowa boys, Dallas Johnson and Jobe Ollington, who finished first and second.
“The first 20km were spent in darkness,” she said.
“Then came that golden sunrise over the water; it was great to watch the town wake up.
“I was at 36km by the time I got to Parkrun at Ball Park and ran another 5km with them.
“I was beaten by two young boys who ran an inspirational race; they were so fast.”
The annual District Convention gives Lions Clubs from Thurgoona to Cohuna a forum to conduct their business celebrate the spirit that binds them together.
District Governor Paul Shortis, Corowa Lions Club member Herman Fransen and Past District Governor John Houghton present to ALCCRF chairman Ron Skeen OAM.
The host club this year, Corowa Lions fulfilled a momentous sense of pride in being able to present ALCCRF chairman Ron Skeen OAM with a cheque for $20,000 in aid of childhood cancer research.
A guest speaker at the convention, Mr Skeen expressed the passion that has driven him throughout his time with Lions.
“We like to see the funds that we raise actually go to these projects,” he said.
“That’s why we have teamed up with Cancer Australia.
“We believe that every child deserves a chance at a healthy life, and that’s what the money that we raise does.”
Corowa Lions Club member Herman Fransen presented the cheque to Mr Skeen in a well-received and heartfelt moment.
Anyone wanting to get involved in the Australian Lions Federation and any of their projects can enquire through their local Lions Club.
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