One night after a few beers I turned to my Dad (Nick) and said I’ve got a crazy idea; I’m going to run the Clare half marathon this year. His response without hesitation was I’ll do it with you. Running 21.1km is something I never thought I’d do so why are we doing it? Simple we want to raise some money for the Leukaemia foundation.

Why the Leukaemia foundation? That’s a bit of a longer story.

My parents have taught me many life lessons. Mum taught me the importance of saving money but also spending, how to cook and entertain. Dad taught me to be generous, not to be a person who leaves half way through a round and to drink responsible most of the time.  

There are many more but they taught me one very important life lesson together and that is that friends are the family we choose. Sure people say it all the time but they showed us.

When we were kids we were surrounded by amazing family that our parents chose. They were the people we went on camping holidays with, spent time with during school holidays and spent afternoons playing pool with. So many of our great family adventures were with the family my parents chose.

Unfortunately, I’ve watched both my parents lose some of their best friends who were our family to young. 6 almost 7 years ago we lost a dear friend too soon to Leukaemia. Lyn Polkinghorne played a major role in many of our family adventures and we wish she still did. I am lucky enough to currently live in an amazing town that she once called home. Lyn and Dave showed me from a young age how great it is to be a part of a rural community.  

That is why we are running the Clare half marathon to raise money for the Leukaemia foundation in the hope that eventually no one will have to lose the friends who become family to soon. 21.1km is a bloody long way and we ask for your sponsorship.

Thank you 

Ella and Nick

Sponsor me and you’ll help me achieve so much!

Today, 34 Australians will get the news they have blood cancer. That's another 34 reasons to support the Leukaemia Foundation's work – providing practical and emotional support to people facing the challenge of blood cancer, as well as investing in vital research to find better treatments and cures. Across Australia, 60,000 people are going through this in right now - please sponsor me and help me reach my goal.