Pam’s running for the children

The Ports of Auckland Round the Bays event is more than just a fun day out for Pam Tregonning.

A portion of the proceeds raised on the day will help make her workplace a better place to be for hundreds of youngsters visiting their sick siblings.

Kidz First Children’s Hospital plans to build a new outdoor children’s playground in its emergency department.

Mrs Tregonning will join thousands of Aucklanders at the March 18 run doing her bit to help raises the cash.

The event is partly sponsored by Fairfax Media and its subsidiary, Suburban Newspapers – publisher of the North Shore Times.

Other charities benefiting from the day include the Child Cancer Foundation, the Make a Wish Foundation and the Garden to Table Trust.

It will be the sixth time Mrs Tregonning has taken part and she hopes Aucklanders will get in behind it.

The South Auckland Health Foundation executive director says more than $20,000 is needed for the playground.

‘‘There is an indoor play area but a place to get outside in the fresh air while supervised would be ideal,’’ she says.

Mrs Tregonning ran in last year’s Port of Auckland Round the Bays with a group of around 400 colleagues and their family members.

But she first took to the streets 10 years ago, around the same time she became involved with the foundation.

‘‘It was a way for me to clear my head after a busy day’s work,’’ she says.

She says she’s never been a ‘‘sporty person’’ but running was something she could enjoy and do at her own pace.

‘‘All you need is a pair of running shoes.’’

Mrs Tregonning will join an expected 70,000 people in the 8.4km event that starts in Quay St and follows the waterfront along Tamaki Drive to St Heliers.

Six-week training guides are available from the Round the Bays website at www.roundthebays.co.nz.

Runners can also read about Suburban Newspapers reporter Lisa Honeybone’s efforts to prepare for the event in her online blog at www.northshoretimes.co.nz.

Entry to the run costs $10 for children (16 and under) and $15 for adults.

This event starts 9.30am.

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Photo: PIP BOURKE Good cause: Pam Tregonning is running in this year’s Ports of Auckland Round the Bays event to raise money for a new playground in the Kidz First Hospital emergency department.