Moving together to do good

The Run for Good Project
Driven. Committed. Visionary

Renuka (Ren) Fernando is the founder of The Run for Good Project, mobilising local community to raise funds, donate goods or give their time to help women impacted by domestic violence, people experiencing homelessness and people seeking asylum. Ren has also created a community of 130 runners who meet for free weekly sessions at Centennial Park to keep fit and do social good.

In the past 12 months, Ren and her community have provided furniture to over 100 families, shoes to 300 homeless people and more than 1500 gift cards and Opal cards.

Ren’s most memorable project was helping 13 refugees settle into local apartments. “Our volunteers fully furnished the homes, put food in the fridge and toys on the children's beds. Seeing the smile on those children’s faces will always stay with me,” says Ren.

In response to COVID-19, the group quickly collected used mobile phones and laptops to keep asylum seekers connected. They also asked for food donations and became volunteer food delivery drivers.

Ren has found it humbling to be nominated as a Westfield Local Hero. “It reassures me that I am on the right track carrying out valuable community work, and it deepens my commitment to launch future.”

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. The Run for Good will use its funds to double its impact by funding furniture removalists and contributing to the cost of a delivery vehicle.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here