Perth Children Hospital Foundation partners with Athletics West to improve childhood respiratory health

Athletics West is excited to announce a new partnership project with the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation for the 2020-21 Go for 2&5 Track and Field Season.

Building on the success of the 20-year partnership the Foundation has had with Little Athletics WA, Athletics West is set to continue the impactful collaboration and will focus its efforts on helping to fundraise for the new Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre.

The Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre is a global epicentre for paediatric respiratory research informing clinical practice and driving a new research agenda for childhood lung health. A powerhouse partnership between the Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and Perth Children’s Hospital, the Centre aims to prevent and cure respiratory illness in children and ensure that all children have healthy lungs for life.

Athletics West CEO Vince Del Prete welcomed the announcement and said the “athletics community is excited to once again reinforce the frontline of children’s health in WA.”

“It’s a joy to continue partnering with the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation. Since 2018, our community has raised more than $20,000 for the Artist in Residence Project which provides positive experiences for patients and their families while in hospital,” Mr Del Prete said.  

“Now, as Athletics West, we are excited to relaunch that partnership to help fund the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre.”

“The new focus is a personal one for our sport. Almost 7% of our Little Athletes in 2019 and 2020 suffered from some sort of asthmatic or breathing problem. By backing this project, our community will be securing the health of these athletes through their fundraising efforts. ”

Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO, Carrick Robinson, said he was excited about the impact that the renewed partnership will have.

“We are delighted to continue the partnership with Athletics West and its community with the common goal of improving respiratory outcomes for kids,” Mr Robinson said.

“We are confident that the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre will not only have a profound impact on WA sick kids now but will continue to benefit kids with respiratory disease worldwide for future generations to come.”

Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre Director Professor Stephen Stick thanked Athletics West for its support of the Centre.

“Our researchers are working to find new and better treatments for kids living with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and cystic fibrosis,” Prof Stick said.

“It’s partnerships like this that help us to achieve our goal of ensuring that all children have healthy lungs for life.”

The new fundraising drive will launch on 12 December at the WA State Track and Field Relay Championships presented by Go for 2&5. Visitors will be able to purchase a $2 sticker to help raise essential funds to kick start the new partnership.

Little Athletics Centres will then continue to fundraise by selling the $2 tokens at their events and help champion the cause in their own way over the 2020-21 Track and Field Season. Fundraising tokens and tins will be made available for Clubs and Centre to collect at the State Track and Field Relay Championships presented by Go for 2&5.

For more information about how you can get involved in athletics, contact Athletics West on 08 6272 0480.