An incredible $12,261,835 was raised during this year’s Channel Nine Telethon, supporting the Children’s Hospital Foundation. While Queenslanders rallied together and dug deep for the patients and families of the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, there is one person in particular that we would like to like to acknowledge.
Kieron Douglass, from Victoria Point, set himself one of his most gruelling challenges yet: a 40-hour non-stop run throughout South-East Queensland to raise money for our sick kids and Juiced TV, starting at 4.00am on Friday, November 17.
Despite the constant rain, extreme tiredness, cramps and dehydration, Kieron was unstoppable. Smashing the 300km barrier, Kieron finished his run at the live broadcast at the telethon, surrounded by his heroes – the patients of Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.
Kieron started his fundraising efforts for Juiced TV in 2014, after seeing a crowdfunding campaign to start Australia’s first entertainment initiative to benefit the health and wellbeing of sick kids and their families in hospital.
At the age of nine, Kieron spent time in hospital after being hit by a car, so it was easy for him to understand the positive difference Juiced TV makes to sick children in hospital.
“I hope that by doing this challenge I can give the sick kids and their families a bit of hope, knowing there are everyday people, just like myself, working alongside the doctors, nurses, Juiced TV and the remarkable Children’s Hospital Foundation staff, all trying to make a difference in their lives,” Kieron says.
“In no way, shape or form does running long distances even compare to what some of these kids face day in and day out, but if by doing this challenge I can put a smile on the face of just one sick child it will be worthwhile,” he said.