A Smile for Ariana: 21km for $21

$10,667 raised

From 142 Donations
TARGET $10,000

Please support this cause

AUD
$
Raising funds for: A smile for Ariana
It's impossible not to love this little girl. Almost 2 years old, beautiful little Ariana Aroha Maree Clews loves kicking in water, random noises and has a beautiful chuckle that delights her wonderful parents, Brad and Taylor. She is tenacious, knows what she likes (and doesn't like) and is an overcomer. Born 14 weeks premature and weighing 835g, Ari spent her first 123 days in the NICU where doctors, nurses and her parents worked tirelessly to save her life. At only 5 days old she underwent her first surgery where half her bowl was removed. She overcame a heart murmur, a chronic lung disease and grade 3 and grade 4 brain bleeds. Unfortunately, the brain bleeds have left scaring on her brain which has placed uncertaintly on whether she will be able to walk or talk. Having talipes (feet fully turned in and rolled over) means 5-6 years of weeks/months at a time of full leg casts, surgeries and special shoes with lots of therapy to strengthen her muscles. Her parents are dedicated, enthusiastic tennis coaches who lovingly invest their "all" to a vast number of children and adults and are role models to be proud of. They have bucket loads of kids running around the tennis court and smiling every week. My son is one of the very blessed kids who personally flourishes under their care. Having their own Ari walk is a miracle waiting to happen. Running 21km for sponsorship for Ari is the little something I can do to be part of the miracle. Throughout her first 12 months of life her parents asked "why does our baby girl not smile?" She has Moebious syndrome (an extremely rare disorder where the 6th and 7th cranial nerves don't function).This means Ari cannot smile, blink or change her facial expression. This is second miracle that I am praying for and running 21km for. Ari has been born at such a time as this. The medical advances available today offer a surgery where working nerves from her legs are repositioned to her face to give her a lift to the sides of her mouth. A SMILE FOR ARI. NO ONE can do EVERYTHING But EVERYONE can do SOMETHING And SOMETHING means EVERYTHING to SOMEONE As I commit to run my first ever 21km race (my SOMETHING) at the Townsville Running Festival in August, please join me by donating $21 or more (your SOMETHING) for Ari. Ari is not a cause. She is a beautiful little girl with a hope and a future.
Update
29 Jul 2018
Happy 2nd Birthday Beautiful Ari! What a joy to celebrate this milestone with you:) 7 more sleeps until our big day and what a big week it is going to be. Ari has eye surgery on Tuesday, then on Friday, she joins the Calvary Christian College Primary students as they build a Gigantic Smile out of their donated coins for Ari. Finally, on Sunday, Ari and I will run the last 48m together to cross the finish line. So exciting! I ran my final long training run with a yellow helium Smiley Face balloon attached to my cap: plenty of comments and pointed fingers from onlookers - but always WITH A SMILE. Ari, this is for you. We are so close to reaching our fundraising goal. It's like we have the last 48m to run together and I am confident that we will not only reach our $10 000 goal, but together, we will exceed it over and beyond. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think..." Ephesians 3:20 Have a fabulous week everyone.
Update
19 Jul 2018
17 DAYS until race day and $1552 to reach the finish line! What an encouraging, motivating and stretching journey it has been. It is truly amazing what we can do together :) Little Ari in her "not so loved" boots: Putting them on is NOT her favourite part of the day! Besides the blisters they have caused and the obvious movement restriction, Ari is sleeping really well with them on. Her first eye surgery is on track for 2 weeks time, just in time for her to cross the finish line of the 21km with me. YES, we have permission to cross the finish line together, so come along to the strand on Sunday 5th August and cheer us over the line. Thank you for partnering with me in the unfolding miracle of a SMILE for ARI
Update
09 Jul 2018
Dear Smile for Ari supporters Fabulous news to celebrate! Ariana had her leg casts taken off on Tuesday. Her surgery sites have healed beautifully and she chuckled and kicked happily in her first real bath in 43 days! A wonderful step forward. Together we have raised $7618 towards the goal of $10 000, with just 4 weeks left to go. In terms of running the half marathon, I would have about 5km left to go - WE CAN SO DO THIS!! Thank you so much for your generous support and please continue to share this with your friends and colleagues. Have a blessed week
Update
02 Jul 2018
Almost half way to my fundraising goal! Thank you to everyone who has so generously donated to Ari already. It really is amazing what we can do together. A little reminder: None can do EVERYTHING But EVERYONE can do SOMETHING and SOMETHING means EVERYTHING to a very special SOMEONE: beautiful ARIANA! Ariana had her first leg surgery 6 weeks ago and gets her leg casts off tomorrow. No more sponge baths for a while! Her special leg braces will go in a few days and she will wear these 24/7.
DONATIONS142
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Robert Houlihan
Sun, 5 Aug 2018
$ 25
$ 25
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Lexi Aidan & Kaylene
Sun, 5 Aug 2018
$ 50
$ 50
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Lara and Matt Tyler
Sun, 5 Aug 2018
$ 40
You’re amazing Colleen! All the best for the 21k x
You’re amazing Colleen! All the best for the 21k x
$ 40
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Louise McConnell
Sat, 4 Aug 2018
$ 30
You’re amazing Col! Praying for little Ari xo
You’re amazing Col! Praying for little Ari xo
$ 30
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Michael Wregg
Sat, 4 Aug 2018
$ 30
$ 30
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Lizzie and Tony
Fri, 3 Aug 2018
$ 100
Love from Lizzie and Tony xoxo
Love from Lizzie and Tony xoxo
$ 100
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Penn Richards
Fri, 3 Aug 2018
$ 21
You go my friend ❤️Love you Coll
You go my friend ❤️Love you Coll
$ 21
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Matthew Gilbank
Fri, 3 Aug 2018
$ 50
$ 50
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Paula & Keren Simpson
Wed, 1 Aug 2018
$ 42
$ 42
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Anonymous
Mon, 30 Jul 2018
$ 21
Prayers for these miracles to be fulfilled for Ari
Prayers for these miracles to be fulfilled for Ari
$ 21
RAISING FUNDS FOR
A smile for ArianaAlmost 2 years old, little Ariana Aroha Maree Clews is a beautiful girl with a hope and a future who needs a miracle to help her to walk and to smile. Partner with me as I run 21km to raise funds for her miracle journey. A smile (and a step) for ARI.
FUNDS BANKED TO:
Ariana Aroha Maree Clews

Campaign Creator
CD
Colleen Doble
Created Jun 2018

$10,667 raised

From 142 Donations
TARGET $10,000

Please support this cause

AUD
$
RAISING FUNDS FOR
A smile for ArianaAlmost 2 years old, little Ariana Aroha Maree Clews is a beautiful girl with a hope and a future who needs a miracle to help her to walk and to smile. Partner with me as I run 21km to raise funds for her miracle journey. A smile (and a step) for ARI.
FUNDS BANKED TO:
Ariana Aroha Maree Clews
Campaign Creator
CD
Colleen Doble
Created Jun 2018