What’s inspiring mum to run 100km

Bray Park mum Bobbi-Jo Ives plans to run 100km this month in a bid to raise money for The Fred Hollows Foundation and to honour her daughter whose attitude to life inspires her.

Bobbi-Jo is taking part in Fred’s Big Run, a month-long fitness challenge, raising money for foundation.

The Fred Hollows Foundation was founded by renowned Australian eye surgeon Professor Fred Hollows, his wife Gabi and friends in 1992.

It now works in more than 25 countries and has restored sight to more than three million people, aiming to end avoidable blindness across the world.

This will be the third time Bobbi-Jo has taken part in the fundraiser, which not only helps a worthy cause but gives her a platform to share her daughter’s story and raise awareness of the challenges facing people with vision loss.

Bobbi-Jo’s daughter Ivy was born in 2010 with a congenital cataract and underwent her first major surgery at just seven weeks old.

Despite years of treatment, glaucoma complications and lasting vision damage, Ivy hasn’t let it hold her back.

At 15 years old, she's a national-level judo athlete, rugby league captain and referee, and academic high achiever.

“She’s the most beautiful, kind, caring person and sporty as well. I didn’t know if she would ever be able to catch a ball with (vision in) only one eye,” Bobbi-Jo says.

“She’s a determined girl. She’s resilient. She can get through anything.

“I want to show Ivy that I’m willing to do hard things to support her. Just like she’s done her whole life.”

Bobbi-Jo, who loves to run, has started working towards her 100km goal and hopes she can exceed it by the end of the month.

“This year, I think my biggest obstacle is going to be time … finding the time to get it done and making sure I don’t get injured along the way,” she says.

She works full-time, is a personal trainer and community volunteer and has three children, so it will be a juggle.

Bobbi-Jo has also recovered from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Locals can expect to see her running on the streets of Bray Park and Lawnton, doing longer runs along the Redcliffe Peninsula foreshore and Parkrun on Saturdays at Petrie or Warner.

“I intend to exceed the 100km but I will have to see how I’m going by the middle of the month,” she says.

Bobbi-Jo hopes to raise more than $700 for The Fred Hollows Foundation.

To donate and to find out more, visit the website.