LINX Hits the treadmills to raise funds for Very Special Kids
More than 150 employees from LINX Cargo Care Group hit the treadmills on Friday 25 May across Australia to raise much needed funds for sick kids in 24-hour care.
The LINX team raised more than $30,000 for Very Special Kids, a children’s charity that helps more than 900 families who have a child with a life-threatening condition by offering ongoing support, from diagnosis all the way through to recovery or bereavement.
Melbourne-based father and LINX Careers & Recruitment Manager, Tom Philbin, was one of 1,000 participants, including celebrities and sports personalities, in the Very Special Kids 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge.
The Philbin family has been receiving support from Very Special Kids for almost five years.
When Tom’s 12-year old son, Luke, was only a year old, he was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a genetic intractable epilepsy that causes Luke to experience regular seizures, intellectual and mobility disabilities, as well as behavioural and sleep issues.
“Late last year at a work conference, purely by chance, it came up that I was the father of a child with a life-limiting illness and that we access Very Special Kids,” explained Tom.
“We recently launched the LINX Cargo Care Group Foundation, which will support various charities, but I was honoured and humbled when Anthony Jones, our Group CEO, suggested we make Very Special Kids our launch charity and throw all our efforts behind the 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge.
LINX Cargo Care Group CEO Anthony Jones said the Foundation enables every one of their employees to contribute and give back to the communities in which they operate.
“Very Special Kids is a charity close to our heart because their amazing work directly impacts one of our own employees,” said Anthony.
“I’m personally extremely proud of the effort put in by so many of our employees on Friday and everyone inside and outside our organisation that donated to such a great cause.
“We’re all in awe of the strength of people such as Tom, his wife Sam and beautiful son Luke, and these funds will go a long way to ensuring Very Special Kids can continue to provide the incredible service it provides to Tom’s family and so many others just like them.”
Very Special Kids Chief Executive, Michael Wasley, said the funds raised ensure Very Special Kids can continue to care for children with life-threatening conditions and their families.
“It costs Very Special Kids more than $8 million each year to support these families, which is why events like the 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge are so important,” said Michael.
“We’re extremely grateful for the fundraising efforts of the LINX Cargo Care Group team.”
