Triumph for Team Tommy

Triumph for Team Tommy

Local worker Mathew Snape raised the second highest individual amount for the Run for the Kids appeal last month.

Mr Snape works at the Melbourne City Marina waterways office and so far has raised almost $7500, all of which goes towards the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

For Mr Snape, the run wasn’t just simply about raising money for a worthwhile cause, but also a way to personally give back to the hospital, which has supported his own family.

His son, 19-month-old Tommy, has been in and out of hospital for most of his young life and, although nothing is 100 per cent certain, at this stage he has been diagnosed with congenital bone marrow failure syndrome with severe ongoing neutropenia.

“The hospital has been there so much for us so we thought let’s do some fundraising and give something back to the hospital that has given so much to our little guy,” Mr Snape said.

Tommy has been a patient of the haematology, oncology, dermatology and cardiac departments within the hospital and has undergone multiple bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures, blood transfusions, blood tests and intravenous therapies.

As Mr Snape explained, when Tommy gets sick his body can’t fix itself, which means something as simple as a runny nose can result in a few nights’ stay in hospital.

“It’s difficult at times but we get through it. Tan (Tommy’s mum) and I have to be strong for the little guy,” Mr Snape said.

“When you look at the bigger picture, we go in (to the hospital) and see a lot of families who are lot worse off than we are.”

“We consider ourselves lucky, we do get a lot of time to enjoy our little guy and have a lot of fun.”

According to Mr Snape, Team Tommy was made up of 26 people, who joined in the fundraising efforts and took part in the Run for the Kids.

Some, including himself, ran the 15 km course, which travelled through Docklands, while others, including Tan and Tommy, took on the 5.5 km course.

Mr Snape already has plans to get involved with the Run for the Kids in 2015 and said next year’s fundraising efforts would be “bigger and better”.

Donations towards Team Tommy’s 2014 Run for the Kids appeal can still be made via http://runforthekids2014.gofundraise.com.au/page/teamtommy080912

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