Crunch 4 Kids: Vinny’s Village supports families and kids with cancer

Five-month-old Vinny Falcione, from Port Augusta, is already facing the biggest challenge of his young life. Diagnosed in February with neuroblastoma at just two-months-old, he is now undergoing gruelling chemotherapy.

He is also the chief of Vinny’s Village, an ab-crunching squad of his family and friends taking on the Redkite Crunch 4 Kids, to raise much needed funds for Australia’s leading childhood cancer support charity.

Redkite’s Crunch 4 Kids is a 20-day stomach-crunching challenge from June 1-20. Participants set their crunch and fundraising goals either solo or in a team.

Redkite provides essential support such as free online, video and phone counselling, financial assistance to families, as well as funding music therapists and social workers in children’s cancer wards around the country.

“Redkite were there for us when we were thrust into a world of unknowns. Our social worker delivered our Red Bag, which was full of practical and essential items, and it made that first week in hospital so much easier. The offers of financial support also eased our minds so we could focus on Vinny,” Sally Neidorfer, Vinny’s mum, said.

Sally and Michael Falcione, Vinny’s dad, who are planning on doing 30 crunches a day and have so far raised $4890, said it was their small way of giving back to Redkite.

“Redkite provided us with what we needed to get through those first few gruelling days in hospital. They continue to support us, and many other families in South Australia,” Michael added.

Over the last year, Redkite has supported approximately 150 South Australian families facing their child’s cancer, but there has been a recent surge in demand nationally. This April, the number of support sessions delivered by Redkite was 60% higher than the 2019 monthly average.

Redkite CEO, Monique Keighery said she was looking forward to seeing families from around the country take part in the challenge in their home gyms or on their living room floors.

“Every crunch crunched, and every dollar raised, will go towards providing essential support to children with cancer and their families. These families need extra support at this time and for their communities to acknowledge and understand their unique challenge right now.

“Redkite’s Crunch 4 Kids not only encourages people to do something positive for their core strength and mental health, but everyone who participates in the challenge is showing children going through cancer that you’re on their team,” Ms Keighery said.

Sally encouraged everyone from Port Augusta and across South Australia to get involved.

“Every little bit does make a difference,” Sally said.