By Kath Gannaway
The power of research to change lives is something that Toolangi mum Kirsty Bowness knows a bit about.
With two children, Liam, 10, and Grace, 8, living with cystic fibrosis, every step towards better treatment, and ultimately a cure, is down to research – and research funds.
Liam’s love of scones was the inspiration behind an annual fundraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
When Liam turned eight his choice of birthday venue was The Singing Gardens of C J Dennis at Toolangi.
Owner Jan Williams’ scones are “the best on the planet” according to Liam.
The fact that Jan had gone the extra mile and made a bespoke scone in the shape of an ‘8’ was just the jam and cream on the scone-cake for Liam.
Jan now hosts Liam’s Birthday Bash as an annual fundraiser with a jumping castle, pony rides, face painting, a children’s entertainer and more.
Tickets are $10 for adults and for children which covers food, drinks and entertainment. There will also be raffles at $2 a ticket, and a pass the parcel game for adults with great prizes for $10 a game.
This year’s event is on Sunday 4 June from 1pm to 4pm with all the money raised on the day going to the RCH CF Trust.
Kirsty said for kids with CF the research is about keeping them well.
“While it’s about coming up with a cure, it can change treatment for them and there’s no point of a cure if by the time that rolls around people are so unwell,” she said.
“We’re seeing changes in medications, in treatments, in how they do their physiotherapy… in almost every aspect, and that is all research-based.”
Liam and Grace were born 18 months apart and Kirsty said even in that short time there were changes to treatment with Grace going on antibiotics very early to protect her lungs.
“There are new drugs coming out and it’s all based on research,” Kirsty said, adding that what is also so important is that money donated for CS research goes to very specific areas and the benefits are being seen and experienced first-hand.
Liam’s Big Birthday Bash is a great opportunity to have a fun, family day out in beautiful Toolangi, and help raise some of that critical research money.
The Singing Gardens of C J Dennis are at 1694 Healesville-Kinglake Road, Toolangi.
Book by 2 June with Sharon on 0456 655 008.
