Pictured: Nathan (right) and fellow caregiver Andrei Lacsamana at HBF Run for a Reason last year.
HBF Run for a Reason is on again this year, with thousands of Western Australians taking part on Sunday 19th May. Among them will be St John of God Subiaco Hospital caregiver, Nathan Aldonza.
It’s Nathan’s second time participating in the iconic run, but this year he’s decided to take on a new challenge - the half marathon.
“I’ll be doing the half marathon with my brother – although he’s a lot faster than I am so it won’t exactly be side by side!” Nathan laughs.
Nathan explains that seeing his brother compete in the half marathon in 2023 made him want to give it a go.
“I’m not really a runner, but my brother is, so last year I decided to do the HBF Run for a Reason with him. I did the 12km run, but I was up at 4.30am because my brother was doing the half marathon and I went down with him. And I thought, ‘I may as well have just done the half marathon!
“So this year I’m giving it a go.”
Nathan has been ramping up his training in preparation for the big day.
“Training is going well so far. I’ve just started playing soccer again, and my brother and I like to run together - there is a park near where we live with a nice big lake, we usually do laps of that,” he says.
Nathan first joined St John of God Health Care as a graduate accountant, straight out of university. Now a Project Accountant, he has recently moved into a new role at St John of God Subiaco Hospital, which he says has given him a whole new outlook on his work.
“In my new role I’m spending more time at our Subiaco hospital, and it really puts into perspective why we do we do what we do,” Nathan says.
Nathan explains that this experience has inspired him to fundraise this year.
“I can see the impact and the real people at the end of it, so I just thought if there’s anything I can do to support that, I should do it.”
All donations received through St John of God Foundation for this year’s event will help WA people in need to access high-quality, cost-free mental wellbeing care, and emotional support through pregnancy and into parenthood through perinatal mental health services.
We’re wishing Nathan and everyone participating in HBF Run for a Reason the very best of luck!
To find out more or sign up to fundraise, visit HBF Run for a Reason 2024 (grassrootz.com) or email [email protected]