Pushing For Purpose

On February 18, 2023, Cameron Young, Geelong father of one year old twins Iggy & Vance, ran a solo marathon while pushing his son Iggy, raising $78,300 for Kids+

Iggy and Vance, born premature at 28+3 weeks spent their first 6 weeks in the ICU at Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne before being transferred to St John of God Special Care Nursery Geelong for a further 4 weeks. At 7 days old, the twins had brain ultrasound scans. Iggy’s scan showed a PVL (Periventricular Leukomalacia) which required Early Intervention treatment while Vance received treatment for prematurity. Iggy has since been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Cameron and wife, Olivia, were referred to Kids+ and entered the Kids+ Parent Infant Program (PIP), which supports parents with these types of diagnoses through the first 12 months following birth. Cameron says ‘During the early days of Iggy’s Diagnosis, while still in shock, I came across a story of Richard Hoyt who ran with his son who had Cerebral Palsy. This has inspired me to do the same. I have planned to complete an entire marathon whilst pushing Iggy to the finish line. I have been in training since September 2022 and I hope to reach my goal to give back to Kids+ who have done so much for our family’.

Kids+ would like to sincerely thank Cam, Liv, Matilda, Iggy and Vance, along with the wider community, for raising such an incredible amount of money. These funds will be invested back in the Kids+ PIP (Parent Infant Program) which supports families during the first 12 months following birth. Such an investment will make a big difference to the lives of Geelong families.