Ugly Sweater Run teams up with Flavor

Sydney

The 7th annual Ugly Sweater Run will take place with a new partner at a new location later this month.

Teaming up with Flavor on the Water this year, the popular 5 km charity fun run set for Sunday, Dec 16 will loop twice around Sydney's north end starting and ending at the Big Fiddle on the Sydney Port Authority wharf.

Up until race day, anyone who would like to contribute an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl from the age of newborn to teen can do so at any Flavor location.

“We're happy to announce that Flavor will begin receiving toys, starting immediately, “ said race co-founder Tera Camus of Whitney Pier.

Camus and fellow journalist Wendy Martin of Sydney launched the race in 2012 as a way to help area children who found themselves in crisis at Transition House. Over the years, thousands in cash and hundreds of toys have been donated.

“Christmas time is an incredibly stressful time for most single parents and even tougher for ones suffering a crisis of some sort,” Camus said. “This race, although fun with its hilarious outfits, has a very serious goal behind it.”

In 2018, approximately 50 families with more than 100 children ended up using services and outreach provided by Transition House.

Executive Director Helen Morrison says the Ugly Sweater Run will help.

"Our community is always so generous and without their help we could not help the families,” Ms. Morrison said in a press release. “The Ugly Sweater Run is a highlight for us each year as so many come to run and show off their ugliest of Christmas sweaters.”

As in previous years, on race day, participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or $20 in lieu of a toy, and wear their ugliest or funniest Christmas attire for a chance to win bragging rights as well as free brunch on race day.

This year’s run will begin at 10 a.m., at the Big Fiddle followed by brunch upstairs at 11 a.m., at Flavor on the Water.
In 2017, about 60 gifts, dozens of books and just over $1000 was collected at the Ugly Sweater Race for children of Transition House.