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‘So many benefits’: Frame Running Wollongong makes huge stride forward

An Illawarra not-for-profit group enabling physically disabled kids to get active has been able to expand their service thanks to a generous community grant.

Frame Running Wollongong in action

Frame Running Wollongong, a not-for-profit organisation, which gives children with physical disabilities the opportunity to run, has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months.

Before the turn of the year, the group only catered for primary school-aged children but thanks to a $18,000 donation from the IMB Community Bank Foundation, it has been able to open up the service to youngsters under five.

The cash injection allowed Frame Running Wollongong to purchase additional frame runners, which can cost up to $6000, as well as a speaker system, safety equipment, sensory equipment and communication tools as well as upgrades to their website.

Renee Jurgielan co-founded Frame Running Wollongong with Sian Napper and Suzy Lock after she took her son, Ashton, who lives with right-sided hemiplegia (a form of cerebral palsy), vision impairment and a brain tumour, to “come and try day” in Sydney.

“Sian, whose daughter Pippa has cerebral palsy, got together with our physiotherapist Suzy to start Frame Running Wollongong,” Ms Jurgielan said.

Frame Running Wollongong co-founders Sian Napper, Suzy Lock and Renee Jurgielan with Jacob Balazs, Pippa Napper and Ashton Binskin.
Frame Running Wollongong co-founders Sian Napper, Suzy Lock and Renee Jurgielan with Jacob Balazs, Pippa Napper and Ashton Binskin.

“We went to a ‘come-and-try day’ in Sydney and it was amazing to see the kids get up and run,’’ she said.

“We thought this was something we needed in the Illawarra so two years ago we started planning and one year ago we had our first frame running session.”

Ms Jurgielan said that it filled her heart to see her son be able to be physically, socially and mentally active.

“It’s hard for him to compete in sport and there’s no way Ashton could physically run without a frame runner,” she explained.

“But when I see him running around (in a frame) on a Monday afternoon it still brings tears to my eyes.

“There are so many benefits to frame running that aren’t just physical, there’s also awesome benefits for the kids to feel included and being in a social and welcoming environment.

“Frame running is something that can have benefits in life moving forward as well because they allow them to get their body moving and for them to bear weight.

“My child is doing an athletics carnival tomorrow for example and he is using a frame runner just for stability which will mean he’s able to do the shot put.”

Aston Binskin, who lives with a form of cerebral palsy, vision impairment and a brain tumour, at Frame Running Wollongong.
Aston Binskin, who lives with a form of cerebral palsy, vision impairment and a brain tumour, at Frame Running Wollongong.

The group has 19 registered participants, with one coming as far as Ulladulla to get involved.

Frame Running Wollongong, which uses a program developed with Ms Lock as a physiotherapist and a speech pathologist to assist those who are non-verbal, hopes to expand the service to cater for teenagers and adults.

Ms Jurgielan said she was extremely appreciative of the support of IMB Bank, but said she would love to see further support offered to the service from some level of government.

“I am very thankful for what the IMB Bank Community Foundation has allowed us to do,” she said.

“It’s super amazing and super cute to now see the under-fives rolling around and enjoying themselves.

“We have had several grants and fundraising initiatives but we haven’t had any government funding.

“Moving forwards we will depend on funding and our volunteers, we have 44 volunteers at the moment.

“We would love to have some government funding because we want to make sure this is sustainable.”

Frame Running Wollongong is having a “come and try” day on Monday, May 16 at the UOW Sports Hub.

It is free of charge with wheels rolling from 4pm.

The IMB Bank Community Foundation has donated more than $11 million to community not-for-profits since it was established in 1999.

Applications are now open for 2022 grand funding through the program with groups able to apply online via www.imb.com.au/community.

Applications close June 30.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/illawarra-star/so-many-benefits-frame-running-wollongong-makes-huge-stride-forward/news-story/f63d65f041ac8d820801d20756e26955