Drysdale dad, Cam Young, to run 42km to raise $42k for Kids+ Foundation

A Drysdale dad has set himself the challenge to run a marathon while pushing his son in a pram to raise money for kids living with disabilities.

Drysdale dad Cam Young is running a marathon while pushing his son Iggy with cerebral palsy. Picture: Brad Fleet

A Drysdale dad will run a marathon while pushing his young son in a pram to raise money for kids living with disabilities.

Cam Young set himself the challenge to complete a gruelling 42km run after his son Iggy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Iggy and his twin brother Vance were born twelve weeks premature on February 10 in 2021 and both spent six weeks in the intensive care unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne.

A brain scan found that Iggy had periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), a softening of white brain tissue, which led to his diagnosis of cerebal palsey.

“That was a little bit of a shock, we found out two weeks after they were born and there were no early signs,” Mr Young said.

Geelong dad Cam Young with son Iggy who was diagnosed with cerebal palsy shortly after he was born. Picture: Brad Fleet

The diagnosis predominatley affects Iggy’s legs and he is undergoing physiotherapy to help build up his strength.

“Iggy is currently learning to take steps in a walker and has ankle and foot splints to help his feet,” Mr Young said.

“He has a few walkers, some with a seat and some without.”

While the twins were in hospital, the father-of-three came across the story of Richard Hoyt, an American dad who ran multiple marathons while pushing his son Rick, who lives with cerebal palsy.

“Iggy was a little baby at the time and I thought it would be pretty special to do something like that,” Mr Young said.

“I’ve never ran a marathon but I’ve always wanted to.”

Drysdale dad Cam Young with wife Olivia and kids (left to right) Iggy, Matilda and Vance. Picture: Brad Fleet

Mr Young is aiming to raise a $1000 for each kilometre he runs to support the Kids+ Foundation and the work they do help kids living with disabilities and their families.

“What they do for us, I’d hate for that not to be around for other parents and their children in our community,” Mr Young said.

He has been in training since September, running multiple times a week with and without Iggy’s pram, in prepartion for the marathon on February 18.

Mr Young will start the marathon from his home in Drysdale, run to the Geelong Showgrounds, and return on the rail trail, crossing the finish line at the Drysdale netball courts at about 10:30am.

To support the cause, visit pushingforpurpose.com.au.

Originally published as Drysdale dad, Cam Young, to run 42km to raise $42k for Kids+ Foundation