By Jed Lanyon
The Bowness family of Healesville hosted their annual Big Roast fundraising event on 28 July and raised $24,998 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust.
Kirsty and Stephen Bowness were inspired to create the event when they found out that their two children Liam (11) and Grace (10) were born with the incurable genetic condition.
The Bowness family stumbled upon the idea of The Big Roast when Grace, who was four at the time said, ‘Sixty-five roasters’, mispronouncing the condition she shares with her older brother.
“Ultimately this event contributes to the health and future of Liam and Grace and so many others out there living with Cystic Fibrosis and for us, there is no greater gift,” Ms Bowness said.
“Grace is now 10 and Liam 11, and events such as this are the path to more Cystic Fibrosis research and working towards a cure.”
The Big Roast was hosted by Rob Dolan Wines in partnership with The Farm Yarra Valley.
“My wife Jude taught both children at their primary school at St Brigid’s Catholic Primary and when we heard about the families’ story, it was a no-brainer for us, we just had to become involved,” Mr Dolan said.
Last year the event raised $18,461.
Cystic Fibrosis primarily affects the lungs and digestive system due to a malfunction in the exocrine system that’s responsible for producing saliva, sweat, tears and mucus.
One child is born with the genetic condition every four days in Australia and there is currently no cure.
