Mount Isa: Blake Downes’ 900km run for little brother Jack
A brother’s love has inspired a Mount Isa boy to take on a mammoth run of more than one million steps to raise funds for premature babies.
Townsville
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A BROTHER’S love has inspired one young boy to take on a mammoth challenge, all in the name of raising funds for premature babies.
When Emily Downes went for a regular antenatal appointment at the Mount Isa Hospital, she never expected she wouldn’t return home for seven months.
Jack Downes was born not breathing in Townsville Hospital, and after months in the NICU ward he was moved to the PICU ward at the Queensland Childrens Hospital in Brisbane.
But before Jack became too sick for Townsville’s NICU ward, his dad, grandma, big brother Blake and sister Paige would make the 900km journey from Mount Isa to Townsville to visit.
Now aged 4, Jack’s fight has inspired his big brother Blake to take part in the 2022 Running for Premature Babies Kids Fun Run.
Mrs Downes said Blake set a goal of running 900km, the distance between Mount Isa to Townsville, by August 21, a total of 1,209,347 steps.
“I saw a kids fun run coming up for premature babies and thought it would be right up (Blake’s) alley because he is so active and it was something he could be a part of,” Mrs Downes said.
She said that Blake, who excelled in athletics and cross country, was thrilled at the chance to help.
“I approached Blake and asked him ‘Hey buddy would you like to do something to raise money and awareness for everything that happened to Jack?’, because he’s aware of what the last four years entailed.”
Mrs Downes said Blake had run more than 820km since taking up the challenge, with the final leg set to be run at Coogee Beach on Sunday.
After his birth, Jack was on a breathing and feeding tube for two years which have since been removed.
“(Blake) is very aware that life has been quite different for Jack, and he wanted to support (the cause),” Mrs Downes said.
Running for Premature Babies fundraises for lifesaving neonatal equipment across the country.
For details go to: https://bit.ly/3CeFuFz
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