Country Kids Kayak At Manly With Olympic Champ

Country Kids Kayak With Olympic Champ At Manly

7 January 2009

Country families will today take to the water around Manly with Olympic Kayaker
Jacqui Lawrence as part of a special respite program organised by Royal Far West.

The children chosen to take part in the respite week with their families are patients of Royal Far West and come from towns across country NSW including Wagga, Forbes and Harden.

Lawrence grew up in country NSW before shooting to prominence at the Beijing Olympics when she stole the kayak slalom silver medal. She is a strong supporter of Royal Far West and the work it does caring for country kids.

Royal Far West CEO Jann Kingston said the morning of kayaking was a wonderful opportunity for the children to experience something new while being exposed to Lawrence whose tales of training in the family dam at Old Bonalbo were inspirational.

"When you expose our kids to people like Jacqui they see their challenges and health issues are things which can be improved and sometimes overcome. It's of course a fun and wonderful experience but it's also the kind of experience where children feel inspired to be the best they can and to reach their full potential," Ms Kingston said.

"During the week of respite the children have none of the usual medical appointments at Royal Far West so it is an amazing treat. But we hope it gives them the support and inspiration to tackle their appointments and treatment with renewed vigour in 2010."

Each January Royal Far West chooses a handful of young patients to attend the
week of respite with their families so they can have the benefit of a supported
holiday by the sea.

Manly Kayaks has generously donated the equipment and staff for the kayaking tour.

Pic and interview opportunity
When: Thursday January 7, 2010 at 10am
Where: Manly Kayaks, E Esplanade, Manly

Media contact: Sharon Hogan 0421 619 097

SOURCE: Royal Far West