Event Report Wow, ok so I dont really know where to start! Its been a week since we finished and completed the 800kms, in 8 days in our 8 capital cities. My body is slowly coming back together again, the swelling has gone down in my legs/feet/ankles but the tendons and joints are still very tender. Whilst Im sure theyll soon recover to 100%, the event has affected me in so many ways and I know that regardless, Ill never be the same again. After nearly 3 years of preparation, it feels surreal that Ks 4 Kids Australia has finally passed, I did it and so many people were touched during my journey. From the very beginning Id hoped that it was a success on all fronts - $100,000 raised for childrens hospitals, a completed 800kms, an event of interest to runners and the general public, an all encompassing challenge that took myself and the team outside of our comfort zones and a journey that would allow me to feel moments of magic more often and more intense than what I normally do. Besides not yet reaching our fundraising goal, I can certainly say with my hand on my heart, that is was a greater success than I could ever have hoped for. I wont recall and analyse each of the 8 days here in detail as I believe facebook/rcstills has captured them so perfectly over the 10 Episodes, and whether or not it was due to pain, tiredness, mental fatigue, complete outcome focus or something else, I cant really remember each day in detail anyway and find myself watching the videos as well to recall what happened. It goes without saying that I would never have made it on my own. There are just so many people that had an influence on Ks 4 Kids Australia over the last 3 years and during the events 8 days. From the schools, to the sponsors, the students and runners I had the pleasure of meeting and running with, those who attended each of the days in support, everyone who donated, helped to raise funds and still continue to do so, friends, family and strangers who spread the word, shared and promoted the event, my team who unconditionally dedicated every part of themselves to see me finish, to my wife and daughter, the biggest influences in my life - thank you all. I could easily name and thank each of you all specifically, but hopefully Ive done so already and will continue to as I remain forever grateful. Here I will simply single out all the parents and kids of Australia and particularly those who are or have been sick and touched by our childrens hospitals - thank you for the why Ks 4 Kids Australia happened. The who, what, when, where and how is quite a big story that well be putting together into a full length documentary soon, but it was the why that got me home and my body/mind to feel and do things that I cant explain or completely understand. With an event lunch on the 29/08/14 and a full length documentary to put together for purchase - the fundraising continues so we can reach our goal of $100,000 and help as many sick kids throughout Australia as possible. If Ks 4 Kids Australia has touched you in some way, thank you from the bottom of my heart for donating and bringing even more magic to this event. https://give.everydayhero/au/matthew-eckford-ks-4-kids-australia I will keep you posted as we continue moving forward... Matthew Eckford
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 05:28:44 +0000
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