Cupid’s bow can help children

GEELONG residents are being dared to get down to their skimpies for a charity fun run with a difference.

Registrations are open for the Cupid’s Undie Run which will hit Geelong for the first time on February 11.

Participants will run, walk or dance a 1.5km course in their bedroom best to raise funds for the Children’s Tumour Foundation.

CTF funds research, treatment, support and clinical trials for those with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condi- tion that can cause the growth of non-cancerous tumours.

Norlane mother Karla Williams and two of her three children all have the lifelong, incurable medical condition.

The tumour Ms Williams has almost never develops into cancer but the tumour her children have, has a 10 per cent malignancy rate.

Her youngest, Xavier Wynn, battles low muscle tone, a global developmental delay, short attention span and severe speech delay.

Ms Williams, who runs the NF Support Group in Geelong, said the Cupid’s Undie Run was about being brave.

“A lot of people with NF do have disfiguring features ... being in your underwear, it’s about pushing yourself to those limits,” she said.

The run is at the Barwon Valley Fun Park, starting at 10am followed by a barbecue.

Shy types are encouraged to dress in bright costumes, or put their undies on the outside of their running gear.

The Valentines Day weekend event will coincide with others in 16 cities across the country, including Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.

For more information, or to register, visit cupidsundierun. com.au/cities/geelong/