Insights

The fourth annual Connor’s Run was held on Sunday September 11th, with a record-breaking 3600 people taking part. Over $600,000 was raised for paediatric brain cancer, smashing the target by 20 per cent.

Proceeds will go towards funding Australia’s first DNA Tissue Testing Centre at Monash Children’s Cancer Centre.

Participants had the option of running two distances; 18.8km from Sandringham to the boatsheds on the Yarra River in the CBD, or 9.6km from St Kilda to the boatsheds.

Connor’s Run is held is the memory of Robert Connor Dawes, the 18-year-old former Brighton Grammar student who sadly passed away in 2013 after a brave battle with brain cancer.

The following year his mother, Liz Dawes, established the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation, whose flagship event is Connor’s Run, the biggest fundraising event for paediatric brain cancer in Australia.

Connor was a keen runner and bright student who is missed by many in the community.

On Sunday morning, celebrities including Shane Warne, James Tomkins and Tamsyn Lewis were among the participants lending their support to this fantastic cause.

True to Connor’s easygoing nature, the run was focused on fun, with music and entertainment, yoga stretching and dance aerobics all part of the festivities.

Hodges is a proud sponsor of this very worthy event. Congratulations to all those who took part, you’re all winners.