As you read this story, Nick Gooley will most likely be running another 30km leg of a 150km run. That is quite some distance, but he is doing it for a very good reason - a very good cause. 

A niche charity, Charlie’s Run 4 Kids (CR4K), is a group of non-professional runners that has raised over $1,000,000 to support children and families fighting childhood cancer. The run started on Thursday and will finish on Sunday.

CR4K started 11 years ago when seven people ran to help raise money for Charlotte who was suffering from cancer - Neuroblastoma. Since then, a number of families have benefited from the funds raised by those involved.

Cheyne Waddingham, Nick’s friend, started the charity which is based in Newcastle. Nick and Cheyne and other family friends holiday at Lennox Head every year. 

10 years ago, Nick from Lismore, joined the jogging ranks. “That year there were 10 of us,“ Nick said, “and now there are about 50 people that run it.”

It is quite a distance - 150 km run over 5 days, 30 km a day, from Seal Rocks to Dudley in Newcastle. 

“We all stay together at Tea Gardens for the first 3 days, then move to Newcastle, closer to the finish. There is a bus that takes us to and from the latest leg of the run.”

There is a lot of pre-training involved, but Nick speaks highly of the bonds formed and the camaraderie involved. 

“It’s a simple way we can give. You pull up a little bit sore, but what you see some people go through. I have two little healthy ones and it is worth helping out those that have it tougher than you.”

This year's recipients are Liam Sumich and Ben Bucknall and their families. You can donate by visiting this link.