It is with much gratitude that The Run Beyond Project recently welcomed well-renowned financial planner and founder of Knightswood House, David Hazlewood to Chester Hill High School to meet the students and present the project with a cheque for $10,000 on behalf of Future2, the charitable arm of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.
Mr Hazlewood has been a long-time supporter of The Run Beyond Project, and was elected to the board in 2019. His passion for the project saw him endorse our application for the grant which will help Run Beyond empower more students as a number of new schools commence implementation in 2021.
Orara High School, in Coffs Harbour has just commenced the project with a cohort of 8 students from refugee backgrounds who arrived in Australia between 2018 and 2019. They have embraced the project with enthusiasm under the guidance of teacher Bree Daley, and are working hard towards their goal race.
Students from Orara High School proudly displaying their Run Beyond kit at a cross-training session!
Without Future2’s support, Run Beyond’s opportunities would be limited, precluding students such as these from participating in the program which provides a sense of community and empowers the students to use the capabilities developed to help them complete their Goal Race, beyond the finish line, and beyond the context of running.
In addition to Orara, Future2’s grant will also enable Run Beyond to commence in Coonamble High School, The Ponds High School, Gorokan High School and Northlakes High School this year, as well as continuing in numerous other schools throughout NSW and Queensland.
The grant funds Teacher Training, at which teachers learn how to implement the Run Beyond program within their own school setting. As the teachers commence implementation, the grant also provides for shoes and apparel for students, and for travel and accommodation expenses related to the Goal Race at which the project culminates.
David Hazlewood presenting The Run Beyond Project with Future2’s cheque at Chester Hill High School.
Run Beyond empowers students in need, and Mr Hazlewood recently recalled a conversation with one of our very deserving participants:
“I asked her how her family was settling in, and how her parents were finding it. Her answer blew me away – she said her parents were so much more relaxed because they were no longer worried about her not coming home from school. They weren’t referring to her hanging out with friends and being late home, they were terrified that she’d be kidnapped or killed for trying to get an education.
She jumped at the chance to join The Run Beyond Project and runs in Hijab, long sleeves and long pants to respect her religion and culture, but she loves it. She’s now hoping to be able to study medicine or dentistry when she finishes school so she can give back to the community that’s helped her.”
Thank you, Future2, for allowing Run Beyond to continue to empower students such as this young woman!
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