By Alesha Capone
Hoppers Crossing resident Bol Mathiang is putting his best foot forward for The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Mr Mathiang, 28, is participating in Fred’s Big Run, a campaign to raise funds for the foundation, which is dedicating to treating and preventing blindness and other vision problems across the world.
The campaign is asking people to run or walk at least 25 kilometres during August in return for donations.
Mr Mathiang is aiming to run 100 kilometres and has already raised $1129.
“I just want to see how much I can fundraise. What I like is just the whole idea of being able to contribute to the foundation,” he said.
Mr Mathiang, who migrated from South Sudan to Australia in 2006, said he also liked that The Fred Hollows Foundation aids people overseas and in third-world countries.
“When I tell people what I’m doing, I say it’s much bigger than just running, it’s about helping someone and changing their lives. The foundation changes lives,” he said.
“So the more I run, and the more money I raise, the more people I can help.”
Mr Mathiang said he took up running around four months ago and that he hoped to compete in the Melbourne Marathon and ultra-marathons in the future.
“I like running and the challenge that comes with it, it gives me time to think and helps me stay very fit,” he said.
Mr Mathiang said he wanted to thank everyone who has contributed to his fundraising efforts, including an anonymous stranger who has donated $430.
“It gives me hope that people are willing to do good in this world,” Mr Mathiang said.
To donate, visit: www.fredsbigrun.org/fundraisers/bolmathiang/freds-big-run
Alesha Capone
