The annual Cupid's Undie Run is fast approaching and communities across the Central West and Western NSW are being encouraged to join in the 2021 activities and help raise funds for Neurofibromatosis (NF) research.
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The fundraiser kicks off on Sunday, February 14 and participants will be part of an exciting new program that will see daring new challenges for the army of undie-clad runners.
Previously runners from across the region have gathered in Bathurst for an annual Undie Run, however with COVID-19 restrictions in place for large scale events, people are being encouraged to organise their own small-scale events over the coming weeks.
Author, filmmaker, body positivist, and Lead Ambassador for this year's Cupid's Undie Run, Taryn Brumfitt, said she wanted to encourage all runners to 'dare to bare', and that no matter how you look, every body is beautiful.
"I'm so excited to be supporting Cupid's Undie Run as we share the same mindset about our bodies," she said.
"Let's just strip down, have some fun, embrace our bodies as they are, and do some real good at the same time for people living with NF."
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Taryn's push for body positivity was seconded by NF Ambassador for the Children's Tumour Foundation, Janu Dhayanathan.
Janu was born with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and used to keep her diagnosis hidden from others.
"Growing up, the standard of beauty set for women by the media was thin, beautiful, feminine, white, able-bodied with flawless skin," she said.
"I did not feel like I was any of those things, largely as a result of my NF and that is why Cupid's Undie Run is so important, it celebrates what makes us different.
"I want everyone to feel comfortable in their own skin, even if they don't fit into a certain standard."
The Cupid's Undie Run will kick off with "Undie Sunday", an online version of its signature run, before offering up cheeky new challenges each day across the following two weeks.
The challenges include runners singing love songs in their undies and making surprise appearances at major shopping chains, while the final challenge will see participants attend a Virtual Sunday Session on Sunday, February 28 with music, comedy and awards on offer for fundraisers and runners.
Renee Anschau, Head of Marketing and Fundraising for the Children's Tumour Foundation, said that the Cupid's Undie Run helped celebrate people's differences and gave the NF community a voice
"It may seem like a bit of fun, but once you have stripped down to your undies in public, people want to know why," she said.
"NF affects everyone differently and can be physically disfiguring, which can lead to feelings of social isolation, anxiety and depression.
Runners should sign up now before the February 14 cutoff date at www.cupidsundierun.com.au and start fundraising.
The list of challenges can also be found on their website along with a range of official Cupid's branded undies for you to wear throughout the two weeks of challenges.
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