The desire to help Jack Duffy, a 15-year-old boy born with cerebral palsy spastic quadriplegia, to experience a better life was the driving force for Glenn Sneddon and mate Steve Lee to agree to take part in a life-changing ‘Just Like Jack’ event.
The two men, together with Jack’s dad Chris Duffy, are old school friends from Finley High School and have maintained their friendship despite living some distance apart. Chris and his family is in Tasmania, Steve’s family is in Ocean Grove and Glenn and family are in Cobram.
The event organised was to be a challenging run of 273 km over seven days to promote public awareness and raise funds for Jack and other children with disabilities, so that they might experience different adventures and get the most from life.
Jack may not be capable of running or paddling a kayak but this has not stopped him from participating with his family and friends in a series of events. Enthusiastically supported by his crew over long distances, including marathons in his running chair and kayaking 600 km on the east coast of Tasmania. Another Finley ‘boy,’ AFL star Shane Crawford, accompanied Jack and his Dad on one leg of this event.
With an engaging smile, young Jack cannot walk, talk or use his arms and requires round-the-clock care yet is able to communicate through facial expressions and hand movements and one look at his face tells the story. “Jack’s life and adventures are not about what he can’t do, but knowing that with help around him, he can do just about anything,” said Dad Chris.
Chris and Erin Duffy are determined that their beautiful boy will get to enjoy his life and his brother Xavier, 16, and sister Jaimie, 17, are two of his greatest supporters.
Glenn and Steve volunteered to complete a marathon with Chris and he outlined the route of the Point to Pinnacle in Tasmania with a few modifications. It would mean running 275 km in seven days, a virtual six marathons in six days followed by the toughest half marathon in the world on the last day.
“When we heard this, we picked our jaws up off the ground and naively agreed to the challenge. Chris is a very convincing man,’’ said Glenn with a laugh.
After a few COVID-19 delays, the Duffys were ready to head off mid-November on their adventure — Point to Point from Georgetown, north of Launceston, to Hobart and then the Point to Pinnacle.
Unfortunately, owing to COVID-19 travel restrictions Glenn and Steve could not get to Tasmania to help young Jack in the run so decided to do the same distance on the Great Victorian Rail Trail between Mansfield and Tallarook, at the exact same time.
Day one of their 273 km event , a marathon distance every day, saw the runners’ fitness tested. Glenn had trained 40-50 km a week but not 42 km each day and had not previously run a marathon distance. Still, he was relatively fit, had played sport all his life and his determination carried him to the finish. Steve on the other hand had previously run the Melbourne marathon with Chris and Jack and managed relatively well.
“Steve is fitter than I am and a more experienced runner,” acknowledged Glenn.
Taking one look at her husband Glenn after he finished the first stage and seeing how exhausted he was, his concerned wife Kylie suggested he should come home with her!
Undoubtedly it was said somewhat tongue-in-cheek, knowing him as she does. That was not about to happen, for there was a strong determination and dedication to keep going. Both runners felt it a rare privilege to be involved in the ‘Just Like Jack’ Foundation and to participate in this life-changing event.
Glenn’s two children, Hayley, 19, and Noah, 17, both ran part of the way with their Dad.
“One thing we learnt early on was that behind every great man is a great woman, Chris may be great at coming up with and participating in these great ideas but it is up to Erin, Jack’s mum, to make it happen,” said Glenn.
The simultaneous events raised in the vicinity of $30,000 with Glenn and Steve raising the sum of $7000. A fantastic result from the two 48-year-olds. “Admittedly it was tough, but with fantastic support from our families, our friends and the inspiring ‘Just Like Jack’ Foundation, we were able to get through it!” said Glenn.
The two runners are still recovering from their mammoth effort with the help of some physiotherapy and rest, yet extremely proud of their achievement and being a part of an event to provide funds for disabled children and teens like Jack to give them an opportunity to get the most out of life and have an adventure too!
Since the foundation was formed in 2017 many of Jack’s young mates have also completed marathons, had helicopter flights and other great adventures. They are having experiences their families would never have dreamt possible for their children.
Footnote: The ‘Just Like Jack’ Foundation to date has raised in the vicinity of $400,000. The next event currently under discussion is a swim down the Derwent River in Tasmania in 2022.
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