Maggi Barnard

The first ever Colour for a Cure Fun Run in Parkes on Sunday was a resounding success with more than 300 people taking part.

After 5km and seven colour stations, the end product was a crowd of very colourful human beings who beamed with joy not only from having loads of fun, but also doing it for a worthy cause.

A total of $15 500 was raised for The Children’s Tumour Foundation of Australia. It is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing information, resources and support services to children, their famililes and adults living with neurofibromatosis (NF).

One participant, Tina Morrison summed up what many people felt: “It was a great fun filled family morning. We would love to see this an annual event as we had the best time!”

The CEO of The Children’s Tumour Foun- dation of Australia, Richard Hughes who came from Sydney, praised the Parkes community for their generosity and support. He also presented an NF Hero Award to Hamish Neville (13) from Parkes who was the inspiration for the event. He was diag- nosed with NF1 at the age of six months.

By Maggi Barnard

Middleton Public School students were tak- en on a virtual safari for the school’s annual Harmony Day event on Tuesday.

Harmony Day is an opportunity to explore some of the cultural backgrounds from their school community. Each year Mid- dleton focuses on a different family’s experience to provide the students with a rich understanding of another culture. Last year they examined Tonga, and this year they explored South Africa.

South African-born students Liam and Ryan Snyman generously brought their parents to speak to the school. Their mother, Linda Snyman, gave an engaging presentation about their native South Africa, highlighting some of the unique elements of their country and culture. Her presentation introduced the students to beaded crafts, traditional African dance, and of course the wildlife.

Students were amazed to learn that South Africa has 11 official languages, and that traffic lights are known as robots, or that textas are called kokis. Students were also intrigued by South African foods, such as mieliepap – a maize meal porridge, and biltong – salted and dried meat that is similar to jerky. They even got to sample South African sausage. At the end the students participated in a traditional African gum- boot dance, which was rather appropriate with the storms outside.

By Raen Fraser

The calf muscles are commonly injured in sports that involve quick acceleration, de-celeration or sudden changes in direction.

Many people describe a sudden sensation of being struck on the back of the leg. A calf muscle tear is often referred to as a strain or a pulled muscle.

The calf comprises of two large muscles, gastrocnemius and soleus. They both join to form the Achilles tendon, which inserts into the heel bone. The gastrocnemius also helps to bend the knee and together they contract to point the toes.

Tears to the calf muscle can range from a small partial tear with little pain and minimal loss of function to a complete rupture, which may require surgery. Recovery time and re- turn to sport depends upon the severity of the injury.

The immediate treatment for all calf injuries consists of the RICE protocol – rest, ice compression and elevation.

The No HARM protocol should also be applied – no heat, no alcohol, no running and no massage. This is aimed at reduc- ing bleeding and secondary tissue dam- age within the muscle. If you are unable to walk without a limp, the use of a heel raise or wearing shoes with a small heel will decrease pain without further stressing the muscle. A compression bandage or wearing SKINS over the injured area helps limit bleeding and swelling.

As pain decreases gentle exercise and stretching can begin in addition to treatment recommended by your friendly sports physio. It is important not to ignore a calf strain as return to activity too soon could make the injury worse.

For the fitness of you.

Linda Reilly

The PCYC in Parkes offers after school care and vacation care for children from Kindergarten to Year 6.

With the school holidays just around the corner, it is important to book a place as only 45 children can be accommodated per day.

With Maddye Potts as co-ordinator vacation care will run from 10th to 14th April; 17th to 21st April and 24th and 25th April. A full program filled with lots of different activities, including physical play, craft, cooking, drama, science, creative play, movies, electronics and of course Easter crafts has been drawn up. An excursion day to the Western Plains Zoo is planned for Wednesday, 19th April, and the next day kids will make their own cornflake chicken nuggets and sweet potato chips lunch.

The PCYC provides morning tea, while each child brings lunch and afternoon tea.

After school care is run five days a week from 3 to 6pm for Kindergarten to Year 6 students. They do similar activities as in holiday care, but also do homework twice a week to help take stress off parents. There are openings available in after school care.

Both programs are flexible to allow kids to come as needed. Contact the PCYC on 6862 3825 to book a place or to get an in- formation pack on cost.