Alex is inspired to roll on
ALEX Cumming is a happy and creative boy.
His mum, Janeece, says he’s one of a kind: the only child in Geelong with mucopolysaccharidosis, a rare sugar abnormality.
Alex misses school one day a week for enzyme-replacement treatment at Geelong Hospital.
And despite his cheeky attempts to scare the nurses, and his imaginative efforts to make cardboard light-sabers and guitars, life in hospital can become tiresome for any eight-year-old boy.
But Alex couldn’t stop smiling when Paralympian Richard Colman wheeled through his door with his gold medal. ‘‘ It’s great to meet Richard,’’ Ms Cumming said.
Colman toured the children’s ward in his new role as a Run Geelong ambassador, joining Cats captain Joel Selwood and Australian Diamonds netballer Madison Browne to promote the event, which raises funds for the ward’s redevelopment.
The Highton wheelchair racer, who won the T53 800m in London, said he was proud to be involved in the event. ‘‘There’s so much support from the community, and it’s great to be involved and give back to Geelong,’’ Colman said.
The money raised from this year’s event will go towards completing new clinicians’ rooms, so children can see their specialists in Geelong instead of travelling to Melbourne.
Run Geelong is on November 18. For more information and to register, visit rungeelong.com.au.