SOMERVILLE resident Chris Renouf is training for the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival next week to raise money for Very Special Kids.
The children’s charity provides professional support services to Victorian families who have a child with a life-threatening condition.
In late 2019, Chris and his partner Tess lost their two-year-old son Reggie to complications stemming from infantile onset pompe disease.
Since Reggie’s diagnosis, Very Special Kids has provided support to Chris and his family, helping them through what’s been described as a “devastating journey”.
The charity continues to provide the services of a dedicated support practitioner, professional counselling services and peer support programs.
The couple now have two healthy sons: Cameron, 2, and Robbie who was born earlier this year.
Chris has run in the Melbourne Marathon Festival since 2018 and has so far raised more than $4000 for Very Special Kids. He expects to crack the $5000 mark this year to “help other Victorian families through tough times”.
The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival on 11-12 December will, for the first time in 42 years, be held across two days.
Events on the Saturday include the Sri Lankan Airlines 10km Run, 5km Run and free 3km Walk. On Sunday, the Nike Melbourne Marathon, Nike Wheelchair Marathon, and Nike Half Marathon will be held, with start times an hour earlier than the previous day’s events to allow for the warmer weather.
