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Teacher Paul Crowe has a battle on his hands. He also has a band of supporters fighting his corner.
Parade College, Bundoora, has banded together to support their much loved and respected teacher, who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
The college has entered a 12-man team, called “Crushin’ It For Crowie”, in the 10km Age Melbourne Run on Sunday. They plan to donate money they raise to Motor Neurone Disease Victoria to support its research for a cure.
Parade Religious Education Leader and team organiser, Marita Stretch, welcomes donations, participants or any other support for the team.
“Paul Crowe is such an important and much loved part of Parade and we aim to recognise that whilst raising money to crush MND,” she said.
“It’s such a horrific disease, so one we are running to raise money but (also) to honour a man who we all love and respect.”
Old Paradians’ Association President Lewis Derrico commended the teachers for their efforts and encouraged the “old boys’ of the college to join the cause.
“As a 1973 year 12 student I was fortunate to be a fellow Paradian with Paul,” he said.
“He was someone who always tried to do his best at whatever he did and he was a good bloke, too. So I urge everyone to get behind the teachers’ team and support the cause for him and for the fight for a cure for MND.”
Melbourne researchers recently released findings of a new gene therapy that could benefit those, much like Mr Crowe, suffering from MND, made possible by donations.
The event, presented by People’s Choice and now in its eighth year, is set to raise $2.25 million for charities across Australia.
The run has raised almost $10 million in the past five years.
The Age Run Melbourne will take place across the CBD, supporting charities such as Beyond Blue and Cancer Council.
Three distances are offered to cater for various fitness levels, including: TeamUp 5 kilometre, 10 kilometre and the Brooks Half-Marathon for serious athletes.
Ms Stretch said the Parade community is shocked by the diagnosis and has received a flood of people keen to donate.
“People were really keen and said ‘You know I’m not sporty, I’m unable to run but I’ll walk.’
“I’m no athlete but I’ve got into training to support him (Mr Crowe) in whatever way I can.”
Online entry registrations close tomorrow.
To sign up to The Age Run Melbourne or to join the ‘Crushin it for Crowie’ team, visit www.runmelbourne.com.au and use the password ‘crowieparade’.
Onday entries are available at Federation Square.
