Sydney Airport hosts first ever Runway Run for charity
  • Sydney Airport Community Christmas Giving Appeal runs in the six weeks leading up to Christmas
  • Appeal features a Runway Run in a major Australian airport first – over 100 participants donned Ronald McDonald red wigs and socks to sprint down the tarmac
  • Events, activations and collection boxes at the airport to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities

Sydney Airport today held its first ever Runway Run to raise awareness of the airport’s 2015 Community Christmas Giving Appeal in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

For the first time in Sydney Airport’s history and in the first event of its kind at a major Australian airport, Sydney Airport briefly closed its 16L 34R runway, with planes making way for appeal volunteers, supporters and staff to dash down the tarmac.

The unique and fun event was held between 3pm and 4pm today, with close to 100 participants sprinting 500 metres down the runway in colourful RMHC themed wigs, shirts and socks as aircraft landed and departed in the background.

Sydney Airport managing director and chief executive officer Kerrie Mather participated in the Runway Run, alongside RMHC board member and Ronald McDonald House Randwick Chair Carolyn Townsend, and celebrity guests including athlete Jana Pittman; Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens players Laura Waldie and Dominique Du Toit; Sydney Swans mascot ‘Cyggy’; Blu Emu car park mascot ‘Banjo’; and Ronald McDonald.

“It’s great to see so many people take this unique opportunity to run down Sydney Airport’s runway to raise awareness of our Community Christmas Giving Appeal,” Ms Mather said.

“We’re encouraging the airport community and the travelling public to get involved and give generously to the appeal. All funds raised will be distributed across RMHC’s 16 Houses helping seriously ill children, including Ronald McDonald House Randwick near the airport to assist with the upgrade of the family ‘rest and reflect’ area.”

RMHC’s Carolyn Townsend said the charity is appreciative of the support from volunteers and Sydney Airport at such an important time of year.

“Our 16 Ronald McDonald Houses across the country provide a home away from home all year round by offering a warm, welcoming, supportive and friendly place to stay for families travelling to receive medical treatment for their seriously ill children,” Mrs Townsend said.

“RMHC are so thankful to those who participated in today’s Runway Run. Building awareness and funds for the Community Christmas Giving Appeal and the wider work RMHC do is important so we can continue to support families in need, particularly around Christmas.”

Sydney Airport’s Community Christmas Giving Appeal is held every year in the six weeks leading up to Christmas and features a range of events, activations and entertainment, including:

  • A VIP Hangar Lunch, with the support of Hawker Pacific, on Friday, 11 December;
  • REX Family Room creating a ‘home away from home’ for passengers at REX’s T2 gate lounge;
  • Christmas gift wrapping with bespoke wrapping paper featuring RMHC kids’ drawings for a gold coin donation, available at T1 and T2;
  • A Volkswagen car raffle at T2;
  • Rotary collection bins at the airport dedicated to RMHC for the duration of the appeal;
  • Collection boxes at participating retailers;
  • Merchandise sales;
  • Christmas signage and decorations;
  • Christmas entertainment, angels and a special visit from Santa; and
  • Online donations at https://everydayhero.com.au/event/communitychristmasgiving

The Sydney Airport Community Christmas Giving Appeal was launched in 2012 and has raised more than half a million dollars for charity over the past three years. Sydney Airport contributed $10,000 to RMHC to kick off this year’s appeal, in addition to providing facilitation and support.

Ronald McDonald House Charities is a not-for-profit organisation providing services and support to families whose children are receiving treatment for serious illness at 16 Houses across Australia.

For more information on the VIP Hangar Lunch and to book your tickets, visit

http://www.rmhcharityhangarlunch.com.au/ehome/index.php?eventid=147181&

Editors’ note: Photo attached. More photos and video of today’s event are available on request.

To see Runway Run participants’ pictures of the event on social media, search for the appeal hashtag #rmhcsydappeal

Contact:

Sydney Airport Media (02) 9667 6470 or 0437 033 479

Professional Public Relations Chloe Turner 0416 273 482 or cturner@ppr.com.au

Mango Grace Peatey 0438 111 454 or gracep@thisismango.com.au