"Cause I Can" Judith Cantor's fundraising projects

Changing of the guard

As cause of the mo' Movember wraps up its annual fundraising and awareness initiative, it's time to focus on matters of mo' frivolity - Saturday's Mud Run!

Well, it may be more so for me as I scale obstacles and wade through that final 20m pit of slime - or even for the spectators holding out for me to *slamdunk* into into the mud or lose items of clothing - but not so for the abandonned or injured animals that find their way to the RSPCA NSW.

As we rapidly near Silly Season and carols and shopping centre Santas are well and truly overstepping their welcome, the prospects for these animals tend to get worse and worse. Not only are more pets neglected because people are focusing on time with their loved ones and heading on holiday, but far fewer people visit the shelters to adopt new furry friends who quietly sit on death row with big, sad eyes.

Please help me save a few by making a donation to this worthy charity. Visit www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor_6 as a matter of urgency. And remember: all donations of $2 and above are tax deductible - and whatever you can spare counts!

Also, if you can, please forward this web address to others so they can join our mission?

Many thanks.

Happy as a...

pig in mud! Yup, on Saturday a week I'll be taking part in Sydney's inaugural Mud Run up at Glenworth Valley - and I've decided to raise much-needed money for RSPCA NSW.

Every year, especially at this time of year, people abandon their pets without a second thought. Often unwanted Christmas gifts, or animals that have grown up and have lost their "cute" factor. Those that are lucky land up at one of RSPCA's shelters and are re-homed.

But this can't continue without the help of the community. RSPCA NSW receives very little government funding for what is a huge undertaking.

Not only do they have shelters and vet services across the state to take care of stray animals (45,462 in 2007-8), they play an enormous role in the prevention of cruelty to animals. During that time they investigated 13,649 complaints and brought 835 charges against 129 defendants.

They even go as far as to assist women, children and pets escape domestic violence through their Safe Beds for Pets program. Now that's dedication!

Please support me as I scale obstacles and wade through 20m of mud as part of my 6km cross-country adventure. Donate today to www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor_6 and be heartened by the thought of lots of wagging tails. Thank you.

And for those of you who are perhaps a little adventurous, maybe even a bit silly, why not join me? Registrations are still open for the Mud Run. No doubt it'll be a hoot!

Closure

I was recently invited to attend the graduation of some 20 or 30 teenage girls at risk who had been through Life Changing Experiences Foundations' SISTER2sister program. This was the charity I chose to support in August when I participated in City2Surf.

It was one of the most moving experiences I've had in a long time! If only I'd known to take tissues with me.

Each girl had to take to the podium and give a speech about her year in the program and the changes it had enabled her to make. Not only have some of the estranged girls reconciled with their families, but one of them who was a habitual truant and drug user is now in the top tier of her English class at school and has decided to study to be a psychologist. Talk about life changing!

Congratulations to Jess, her team and all the big sisters for making such a difference to all these little sisters, and the face of the future of Australia.

Another not-for-profit event close to my heart that came to a close recently was Sculpture by the Sea. Every year I marvel at the artists' creativity and, even after five years of volunteering, it's an exhibition I really look forward to. The combination of free art, the exquisite landscape and community is unbeatable!

I went along at dawn on the last day to take some photos. Here are a few of my favourites.

Rehabilitated

Sunday's Run4Fun was a heartening event.

Not only did 6,005 participants brave the foul weather, but a number of them were patients of one of the three major children's hospitals - Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick and Westmead, and the John Hunter hospital in Newcastle.

I was humbled to run alongside kids being pushed in wheelchairs, others who had obviously been through one or more rounds of chemotherapy, and families proudly wearing branded gear in support of the hospital that had helped them and their loved ones.

I also felt very lucky. Lucky to be able. Lucky to be part of a community that cares. Lucky to spend a Sunday morning in Sydney bushland.

And lucky to have had wonderful financial and emotional support.

Thank you for helping me spread joy, acceptance and understanding!

Photos: Dad and son share a family day for Sydney Children's Hospital Westmead (top), Inspiration along the way (middle), the big finish at Acer Stadium (bottom)

A celebration of life!

I've been doing some research. Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, admits over 15,000 little patients every year and provides over 290,000 instances of care through emergency, outpatient and outreach services. Now that's great work, wouldn't you agree?

Can you imagine being the most important person, second to Mum and Dad, to allay the fears of a sick child? To have to perform necessary medical procedures that may hurt at the same time as 'still being friends'? To make a scary and yucky time seem less scary and yucky?

Can you imagine being able to "fix" a problem that allows a child to be well and happy and feel just like everyone else?

It must be so rewarding. And it's so necessary.

I'll be running/walking/hobbling over the line at Sunday's Run4Fun at the Acer Arena in aid of Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick. Please help me help them ensure that all children who need care get it?

Visit www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor_2 today and celebrate each child's health and happiness in a big way!

And if you can, please ask others to do the same? Let's aim for a ward full of smiling faces?

Thank you.

Stolen time

The last time I checked it was Sunday a week ago! I'm not quite sure where it went...

This Sunday, yes, after only six more sleeps, is the inaugural Run4Fun - 10km track at Homebush.

I'll be doing my impression of someone running and raising money for the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick at the same time. I have a feeling said impression may resemble one of John Cleese's funny walks!

Please support me?

The Children's Hospital has a special unit for kids with cancer and blood disorders. Although it's difficult for me to imagine what it would be like to have a child with such a serious illness, I know I'd be able to rely on the Hospital for support, care and information if I did. Peace of mind like that must be immeasurable to a parent in distress.

If someone close to you, or not so close to you, has benefited from the Sydney Children's Hospital, please dig as deep as you can and make a donation at: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor_2

And if you have been fortunate and no-one you know has needed their services, feel free to show your gratitude too.

I've set my target at $500. Let's smash it?

And come along and have a laugh at my expense on the day!