STUDENTS RUN FOR VIETNAM ORPHANS
WHEN Ryan Press is pushing his body to the limit during the 42km Gold Coast Marathon, he will be thinking about impoverished and disabled Vietnamese kids whose lives he is trying to improve.
The 27-year-old Bond University doctor of physiotherapy student and some of his Bond mates are raising money by running the marathon on July 1 to help GGC Volunteers Ltd, an organisation dedicated to improving the health, education and social welfare of orphaned and disabled children in Vietnam’s Da Nang region.
“For most of these children, their whole day is often spent lying on a mat or in their bed,” Mr Press said.
“Our hope is to assist with the provision of muchneeded therapy equipment, orthotics and resources to assist children and families who most need them.
“You would not believe the joy these children express when they are able to sit and interact – but they cannot do so without our help.”
Mr Press ran the Gold Coast Marathon last year and has competed in a number of other races.
As for a post-marathon recovery session, he had that covered. “Lucky for me my girlfriend’s studying to be a physio as well and can help me recover for my next race, which will be the Kokoda Beach Classic on the Gold Coast (in August),” he said.