Hi, I'm Sarah and my dad and I will be tackling the 100.4km Ultra-Trail Australia Marathon in the Blue Mountains on May 18th. Putting the course into perspective, the elevation gain is equivalent to half the height of Mount Everest and the distance is the same as running from Brisbane to Tweed Heads on the border of New South Wales. Our motivation extends beyond personal achievement; we're raising money for The Common Good, a foundation that funds Heart Disease Research at The Prince Charles Hospital. This is all in aid of life-changing medical research.
The charity hits close to home as our family friend Rhys Hoole is currently in severe heart failure, fighting for his life at the Prince Charles Hospital. In 2022, Rhys, aged 23, went into a cardiac arrest whilst playing touch football and since then has had multiple hospital admissions. Since February 9th he has been in the ICU after requiring the insertion of a ventricular assist device in his chest. Over these 6 weeks he has had 5 open heart surgeries, countless defibrillator shocks and has been on dialysis 3 times. His way out of this is in the hands of some of the best cardiac specialists and nurses in the country, who rely on the world class research conducted at the hospital.
Rhys's battle fuels our goal to raise $10,000. A $48 donation = 1 hour of research. We therefore aim to support 208 hours of research which will provide hope and a better outcome for patients like Rhys in the future.
Your $48 donation supports research that has a real impact on lives.
Thank you for your help!
Sarah and John
My Achievements
Fundraising page
Updated Profile Pic
Added a Blog Post
Received 5 Donations
Reached Goal
Increased Target
My Updates
Rhys has received a new heart!
Thursday 2nd MayAn update from Sharon Hoole, Rhys’s mum:
On April 18th, Rhys received a heart. Without this he would have died within days. The ultimate gift of life from his donor will never be forgotten. Days before this, Rhys experienced two life threatening complications where he required emergency procedures leading to him being urgently listed on the National Transplant list. His new heart is beating well, his kidneys are working again, however he is not yet eating solid foods due to the multiple intubations affecting his swallow. His next big goal is to be able to walk again. Rhys has come so far since his transplant and continues to improve day by day thanks to the extraordinary care of his treating team at the Prince Charles Hospital.
Thank you all for the generous donations and ongoing support.
ShareThank you to my Sponsors
$263.75
Marcia Senn
$253.20
Kerryn And Patrick Cyprien
What a fantastic effort. Congratulations on doing something positive.
$253.20
Matthew Gray
A great cause Sarah - well done. Make sure he keeps up a decent pace!
$253.20
Matthew Hoole
Can’t thank you enough, Sarah and John.
$240
Anonymous
$211
Colleen And Rob
we are very proud of you for being so very thoughtful and caring. Our thoughts are with Rhys and his lovely family.
$211
Alison And Campbell Family
Amazing Sarah and John!!
$211
Keir Family
Best of luck! Love and prayers for Rhys xxx
$210
Chrissie Beehler
Sarah and John, you are truly such an amazing pair. This is a wonderful thing to do.
$158.25
Peter And Peta
$151.92
Bronwyn Draper
$151.92
Narelle Gill
Sending all my love and strength to Rhys and family xx
$151.92
Leisa Roberts
💜
$150.48
Anonymous
Good luck, Sarah and John!
$150
Ashleigh Hoole
Thank you so much Sarah for your incredible efforts and support. We appreciate everything you are doing for our family ❤️
$149.76
Kirrily Hoole
$149.76
Carol
Good luck, Team!
$105.92
Anonymous
$105.50
Sharon Hoole
You’re amazing, Sarah. Your thoughtfulness and generosity and your willingness to do such a grueling event to support Rhys and the PCH Foundation is so incredibly humbling. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. (No pun intended!). Love Sharon and Matt xxx
$105.50
Mel Singleton
$105.50
Agnese Terribile
$105.50
Roanne Lemmon-warde
$105.50
Lisa Ayres
$105.50
Anton Kirsten
Goodluck with your run and remember, if you feel like quitting during the day, the next day is a better time to consider the idea!
$105.50
Annette Ryan
Wishing Rhys a successful recovery, and sending prayers for him, his family and friends.
$105.50
Gary And Kerri-anne
$105.50
Virginia Prowse
A wonderful cause! Thinking of Rhys, the Hooke family and all those benefiting from ongoing cardiac research. Good luck with the marathon.
$105.50
Guido Schouteten
Thank you Sarah and John for your wonderful efforts . I’m sure running for Rhys will put a spring in your step! Pleased to be able to support the lovely Hoole family.
$105.50
Liz Ireland-jones
Good luck Sarah , a great effort for a magnificent cause to all those who know Rhys x
$105.50
Jo Croft
$105.50
Zina
$105.50
Gail & Max Bates
Sending all our best wishes to Rhys and what a wonderful gesture Sarah and you Dad John Love Max & Gail
$105.50
Gay Barnett
Best wishes for your run. My thoughts and prayers to Rhys and Sharon and Matt and all their family.
$105.50
Karen Stewart-smith
$105
Colin Ahern
Hi there. I don't know the Poole's but I know who they are as I follow them vicariously on the TSQ posts. I was shocked by this news and congratulate you and your Dad for doing this. Best of luck for your trek.
$104
Sarah Lemmon-warde
$101
The Mataias
Amazing what you and your Dad are doing to help Rhys.
$100
Hazratwala’s
All the best on your Marathon Sarah & John. Very proud of you both and best wishes to Rhys and his family. From, the Hazratwala’s
$100
Brooke Mccallum
A Herculean effort, Sarah and John. I wish you all the very best on your trek. I don’t know you, but I do know you’re awesome! Keep fighting the good fight. (Warmest wishes, love and strength to Rhys and his beautiful family) xx
$75.96
Paddy P
$54.86
Jason Lemmon-warde
Go Johnny and Sarah!!
$52.75
The Birchall Family
$52.75
Andrew Phillips
$52.75
Tonia Morsch
The Morsch family
$52.75
Louis H & Ben S
$52.75
Vicki Perlic
❤️
$52.75
Brad And Helen Hubbard
Good luck Sarah and John. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to show support for our beautiful friends, the Hoole family.
$52.75
Paula Rideout
All the best for such a worthy cause xo
$52.50
Alex Mcgregor
Go Maverick!!
$52
Ricki Watson
Such a caring thing to do
$51.84
Ritamay Roberts
$50.64
Jodie Calvert
$50.64
Nicci Piltz
$50.64
Daniel Lemmon-warde
$50.64
Jack Allison
Go and smash it Sez!!! Best of luck from the other side of the world ❤️❤️❤️.
$50.64
Lynda Jones
$50.64
Mel Cross
What an oar-inspiring couple of legends. Thank you for going above and beyond to help Rhys and millions of other people on their journey. Xx
$50.64
Allison Hayes
Our thoughts are with Rhys and family for a good outcome.
$50.64
Eliza Purcell
Good on you Sarah and John, that’s an incredibly big hike. best wishes for it. Lots of love to the Hoole’s. Thinking of you all. ❤️
$50.64
Matthew Cull
Thoughts go out to the family and wider friendship group.
$50.64
Jeff Trevarthen
$50.64
Ian Malpass
$50.64
Frank Byrnes
$50.64
Matt Rose
What an inspiring thing for you to do on behalf of the Hoole family. They are in my thoughts.
$50.64
Rob Storrs
Super Sarah, Ruth, Rob, Will, Ollie and Bec
$50.64
Jeff Hunt
$50.64
Lizel Moore
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
$50
Paino Family
Proud of you both, a great charity and achievement!
$50
Forster Megan
$50
Jules Elks
So so so proud of both of you. Keep being the amazing people you are!!!! Inspiring is an understatement ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
$49.92
Jenny Dittmar
$49.92
Sarah Warren
You two are wonderful & what a great cause!
$49.92
Sanna
Well Done Guys! What a challenge for a beautiful cause. Love, hope and thoughts to the Hoole family xx
$49.92
Maeghan Saldumbide
Amazing stuff Sarah!!
$49
Emily Ferrier
All the best Sarah. You’re amazing to do this.
$48
Jaime Swift
$48
Deb & Dan Walker
We have such admiration for you to put yourselves in an uncomfortable situation to call attention to others needs. Thank you. 🙏🏻
$42.20
Sharon Killen
Best wishes. We have spare rooms here if you need somewhere to stay however we are 1 hour away. Best wishes. We might pop up to watch
$30
Kh
$26
Alice Rogers
So absolutely proud of you sez! Incredible❤️❤️👏
$25.32
Sophie Edwards
Go SEZ! Your amazing 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
$25.32
Wendy Clements
$25.32
Anonymous
$25.32
Cathy Benson
$25.32
Isabelle Gemmel
$25
Shelley Jensen
$24
Lulu Elliott
You are both wonderful humans. Can't wait to hear that you and Johnny listened to the Sound of Music soundtrack the whole run. The hills are alive😛
$24
Katrina Rowe
Good luck with the 100 you two! We’ll be thinking of you as you do your epic 100. Trina, Nick, Harper & Boston. X
$21.10
Erin Allison
$21
Jack M
$15.82
Greta Johannesen
$2
Wow, epic trek, great cause! Good luck!