Having fun with Vinnies to help those in need

Sydney
4 November 2001

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Having fun with Vinnies to help those in need

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Having fun with Vinnies to help those in need

3km winner, Alexis Hiser

By Dane Hiser

The first fun fest run by the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Parramatta Diocesan Council was such a success that a bigger and better fun fest is already being planned for next year

The first fun fest – on Sunday, October 21 – was blessed with perfect weather.

It was aimed at increasing public awareness of both the work of the Society in the Parramatta area and of the plight of those so urgently in need of their assistance, says Vince Dobson, president of the Parramatta diocese.

The fun fest program began with fun runs/walks over 3km and 9km for people of all ages and abilities.

Some took the run seriously and were in it to compete; others chose to take it easy, jogging or strolling leisurely along the course, enjoying the sunny day and the beautiful scenery.

Champion runner Jamie Harrison won the 9km race, while the 3km event went to young Penrith resident Alexis Hiser.

Other highlights of the day included a mini fun run for under 7s; carnival rides; a live display from Featherdale Wildlife Park, featuring a wombat, kangaroo and diamond python; a delicious barbecue; stalls; a raffle; pony rides and music, including a great performance from local band The Vacuity.

Two Federal MPs – Liberal Ross Cameron and Labor’s David Borger – participated in the day’s festivities, which were helped along by TV stars John Clayton and Diarmid Heidenreich.

Youth coordinator Lisa Bright says “the community in general have been very supportive of Vinnies overall, and therefore were supportive of the fun fest”.

The St Vincent de Paul Society offers assistance worth more than $1 million a year to people in need in the Parramatta Diocese – home visitation, referral and support, budget counselling, pregnancy counselling, emergency accommodation, day care, extensive youth activities, centres of charity (shops) and self-care aged accommodation.

The Parramatta diocese stretches from Ermington in the east to Mt Victoria in the west, Guildford and Luddenham in the south and Kenthurst through to Wisemans Ferry in the north.

The Society has 432 members in the diocese and 120 auxiliaries. Last year they assisted 68,012 people, carried out 40,449 home visits/interviews and made 12,644 special work visits.

The members of the Parramatta Diocese “are Christian volunteers who, to the best of our ability, help people, where we can, when we can, because we care”.