Old boy and current Nudgee parent Mr. Paul Daly was instrumental in securing a $10,000 donation to the Nudgee College Meningococcal Marathon Fund, from the AMP Foundation.

Such a significant donation which ultimately goes to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Research Foundation gave the boys and extra spring in their step as they completed the 140klm Marathon run.

Maree Ganley
Public Relations Officer
St. Joseph's Nudgee College

THE AMP MENINGOCOCCAL MARATHON TEAM
RUN INTO NUDGEE HISTORY

11 year 12 students ran 140 klms from the Sunshine Coast to Gympie in memory of two Nudgee students who died from the disease and to raise funds for research. The students ran/walked the distance for three days in the most trying conditions, over very hilly terrain and one and a half days of blinding rain.

It is not too fanciful to match their determined and gutsy efforts with our young ANZACS or the young Aussie soldiers on the Kokoda trail. Year 12 students were Mitch Hayes who led the student team and a special tribute goes to Mitch for stepping forward to lead the group, and keep us all focussed. His team was Toby Keegan, Stephen O'Leary, Courtney Innes, Blake Wissemann, Brandon Wortley, Ben Stanley, Hugh Tully, Michael Keightley, Ryan Purcell, and Drew Ezzy. Year 8 Cross Country runner Rhys Burns ran for the first day and became our favourite mascot.

These boys were supported by a most dedicated group of staff and parents. Thanks Mr Hanly for meeting the boys on Saturday for lunch and racing back for other school commitments.

Thanks to staff drivers, Mr Gerard Jeffreys, Mr Dan Robotham and Mr Alan Denham. Your good humour and special care for the boys was much appreciated. Thanks to Mitch Hayes' mum, Fiona, whose care for all the boys with sore muscles and for her tins of biscuits which were a special bonus.

Thanks to Brian and Margaret O'Reilly who once again gave up their weekend to be at our lunch break sites to cook a hot lunch and to offer encouragement.

Thanks to Michael and Wisty Johnston for the use of their wonderful home in Noosaville for two nights. Your warm fire and washing machine and dryer kept our boys on the road. Sam Johnson, Year 8, also joined the boys on the run with his father, Mike, on the last day and ran into Gympie.

Thankyou to Mike Senior and Mark Sayer for meeting us at the finishing line along with parents of the runners. It was good to see familiar faces at the finishing line. Isabel and Ian Laherty met us at different points and gave the boys lots of encouragement.

Thanks also to Mrs Robyn Murphy and the students of St Pat’s Gympie who would have been Daniel Laherty’s classmates and who joined us outside Gympie for the last leg of the marathon.

Councillor Annette Reilly of the Cooloola Shire officially met the boys at the completion of the run, along with Mr David Rose from the Royal Brisbane and Women's Research Foundation.

Donations received to date are: