Daniel Richardson is running in Ballarat’s upcoming Federation University Half Marathon to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, a charity in the United Kingdom also known as Friends of Rosie. This cause is close to Mr Richardson’s heart, as he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at just three years old and was treated in the same hospital ward as Rosie, who passed away just before her fifth birthday.
This is not Mr Richardson’s first run for children’s cancer research, having ran the 2019 Paris Marathon and 5km a day between 2020 and 2021.
“What compels me to raise awareness and funds for this cause is the opportunity to help those less fortunate than me and to empathise with those families who are dealing with childhood cancer,” said Mr Richardson. “I think going through cancer and surviving, when many other children don’t, makes me feel incredibly fortunate. I was lucky, especially in the late ’80s when the research wasn’t what it is now, and I try to remember that as often as I can.”
Reflecting on his daily 5km runs, Mr Richardson recalled sometimes heading out as early as 4am to beat the heat. While this wasn’t easy, his mindset was that someone, somewhere, is going through a more difficult time. His perspective remained unchanged throughout his half marathon training, which he said pales in comparison to the hardships faced by families supported by charities like Friends of Rosie.
Mr Richardson, who is Deputy Head of French for Years 7–9, moved to Ballarat from Muscat, Oman, in 2023. He has taught and studied around the world, living in France while studying French at university and working as a translator, before training as a teacher in the UK, where he taught French at a school for autistic children. He later worked as a French teacher in Muscat before relocating to Australia to join Ballarat Clarendon College.
Currently studying a Master of Education part-time, with a focus on the science of learning and school culture, Mr Richardson was excited to join a school that values evidence-informed practice and continuous improvement, and this inspired his move to Clarendon in Term 4 2023.
“My experience with cancer has made me open to trying to make the most of life and opportunities,” said Mr Richardson. “I like to think it’s made me humble, patient and open-minded, and I try to apply that day-to-day by seeing the good intentions behind people’s actions.”
Thank you, Mr Richardson, for sharing your story with our students and the Clarendon community. We are fortunate to be a part of a community where people like Mr Richardson inspire our students not just through their words, but through actions grounded in empathy, courage and care for others.
To read more about Mr Richardon and Children’s Cancer Research Fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/daniel-richardson-1.