Director takes steps to help kids with cancer

Director takes steps to help kids with cancer

Scott Smith, a Director of Bromic Group, is taking on the Kokoda track in 2020 to raise money to help children with cancer with founder of The Kids’ Cancer Project, Col Reynolds OAM.

In a stunning show of support Bromic Global decided to walk 300,000 steps during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to raise vital funds for kids’ cancer research!

Scott Smith, a Director of Bromic Group, is taking on the Kokoda track in 2020 to raise money to help children with cancer with founder of The Kids’ Cancer Project, Col Reynolds OAM.

Most sources report the World War II trail as 96 kilometers long through lush jungle from Kokoda to Port Moresby, however with side trips and detours on the track, hikers generally walk closer to 165 ks.

Next August Reynolds will walk the historic route, not just once, but twice. Back to back. Did we mention he’s in his 80s?

Smith will be joining the octogenarian on just one leg of his epic journey, but his team were so inspired by Col and his story they pledged to go the full distance… without leaving the office.

During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month on 26 September, treadmills were set up at Bromic HQ in Ingleburn, NSW. Four teams swapped business brogues for snappy sneakers throughout the day to collectively walk 300,000 steps, the equivalent of a back-to-back Kokoda campaign.

"Our staff really connected with Col who they met before the campaign kicked-off,” said Sue Tsoromokos, Bromic HR Coordinator. “They were particularly inspired by his firsthand experience learning that kids with cancer need more than nice outings… ultimately they need a cure so they can enjoy those moments at any stage of their life."

And so Tsoromokos along with colleague Todd Shaw, Senior Marketing Coordinator championed “Step Up For Science” and heavily publicised the event, which included a Kokoda snack station including jungle juice, Spam, crackers, plastic cheese and baked beans.

“On the day everyone was really excited, and office morale was at an all-time high,” said Tsoromokos. “Work still needed to get done and while it was ‘business as usual’ a lot of people got involved by joining in whenever they could – even if it was only for half hour or so.”

Tsoromokos said to push everyone a little harder, some healthy interoffice rivalry was introduced by keeping a tally of who was contributing the most steps. The accounts team were recruited to act in the official capacity of auditors to ensure a fair outcome.

“By the end of the day everyone got a little less competitive, with all four teams running out the last four kilometres together, making it a genuine team effort to reach the 300,000-step count,” said Shaw.

“Once it was over, everyone was really happy and proud and the phrase “I’d be happy to do Kokoda with you any day” was thrown around more than once, exemplifying the team spirit,” he said.

Funds raised are still being counted as Bromic call in pledges, but it’s anticipated the company will be able to present a cheque for more than $10,000 to the charity before the end of the year.

Tsoromokos was delighted with amount of money raised as well as the multiple well-being aspects the event offered staff.

"The fact that this challenge helped support and fundraise for such a wonderful cause was great,” she said. “But it was wonderful that there was a health benefit involved as well."

“People were thrilled that this wasn’t just another morning tea fundraiser and that they got to get a bit of exercise in during the day,” she said. “It motivated them to get fit for the actual event and encouraged them to stay healthy for weeks to come.”

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