LUCRF Supports "Nuns on the Run" Charity Team

Sister Leone joins other Sisters of Charity volunteers to participate in the world's largest fun run to provide support for those in need. 

Sister Leone Wittmack, a founding Director of the LUCRF Community Partnership Trust, recently joined forces with other volunteers from the Sisters of Charity Foundation, to participate in the annual City2Surf fun run on Sunday 14 August 2011 in Sydney, New South Wales. With over 85,000 participants in 2011, the event has become the world’s largest and most exciting fun run.

Sr Leone, has been a Sister of Charity for the last 41 years, promoting the values of compassion, justice, dignity, excellence and unity. The Sisters of Charity Foundation provides much needed help to those who are financially-challenged, ill or have special needs. LUCRF Super was proud to support the 2011 team, which raised funds towards a University Scholarship for a young woman from a disadvantaged background to undertake studies in either Teaching or Nursing.

Sr Leone is no stranger to participating in fun runs and in the last couple of years has completed 4 half-marathons. This is her 11^th City2Surf.   In 2009 she joined a number of Sisters of Charity in the “Nuns Run” and together they walked 400km from Dubbo to Darlinghurst, to raise money for the St Vincent’s Hospital and Garvan Institute of Cancer Research Centre.

Commencing her ministry as a registered nurse, Sr Leone has held various positions within the St. Vincent’s Health Australia Health Service including, registered Nurse, Unit Manager, Director of Nursing and Director of Mission in many of the St. Vincent’s Hospital facilities in Victoria, NSW and Queensland. She has worked with various marginalised groups including youths living on the street and refugees especially overseas in Cambodia, the Republic of Congo and Rwanda.  She has also worked in Papua New Guinea and East Timor and has had the opportunity to visit other Sisters of Charity who were working in Samoa, Zambia and Nigeria.

As a recipient of the Humanitarian Overseas Aid Medal and a Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International, Sr Leone’s hobbies include enjoying life, water colour painting, bush walking and participating in fun runs. Following the completion of a Graduate Diploma in Creative and Experiential Art Therapy, Sr Leone developed great interest in drumming and often conducts Drum Circles with some homeless groups and with the staff at St. Vincent’s in Melbourne.

Sr Leone is currently a Group Mission Leader at St Vincent’s Health Australia.  In this role she is helping to explore ways by which St. Vincent’s Health Australia can be more involved in the delivery of health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Her experience, commitment and community knowledge makes her an invaluable Board member of the LUCRF Community Partnership Trust. She has played an integral role in the development of the Trust, continuing her dedication to helping those who are most vulnerable.

If you would like to make a donation or find out more information about the Sisters of Charity Foundation, visit their website: www.sistersofcharityfoundation.com.au