Bed race a quick success

11 Apr 2017

11 April 2017

The money was raised through the first Great South West Bed Race, organised by St John of God Bunbury Hospital, with 13 teams consisting of four runners pushing a bed complete with a faux patient completing five laps of a 1km course in Bunbury.

St John of God Bunbury Hospital Chief Executive Officer Mark Grime said he was overwhelmed with the generosity of the local community, with all funds going straight to the St John of God Foundation South West Cardiac and Cancer Care Campaign.

“The money raised will go a long way to ensuring we can continue to provide cardiac and cancer care close to home for people living the south west region,” he said.

“The campaign has already enabled us to bring the first regional PET CT scanner to Bunbury as well as open the first regional coronary care unit and angiography service.”

While the funds raised are going to a serious cause, the race too was competitive with the winning team from Manea Senior College completing the course in 29 minutes and 17 seconds.

Second and third placed teams, Team Rural Clinical School and DFES Perkins builders were close behind coming in at 29 minutes and 58 seconds and 30minutes and 5 seconds respectively.

The wooden spoon winners were Team Bertha from St John of God Bunbury Hospital’s maternity unit, with all teams dressing up the part with some wonderful costumes including the Ungrateful Bed team from St John of God Bunbury Hospital’s medical unit being named best dressed.

The first event of the day, a CEO sprint which saw teams push a local leader 200m while being hit with water balloons, was taken out by the local Bunbury MP Don Punch.

“Not only was the event a success in terms of the money raised but it was great to see the community get behind us and enjoy the day by participating in the race, donating or enjoying the live music and entertainment,” Mr Grime said.

Dates for next years’ event and information about how to get involved will be released later this month.