Gallery | Bittersweet turnout for mud-caked Zaidee’s Mad Cow Mud Run

It’s an experience that not even the most cleanliness-obsessed could grumble at, given the heart of the cause.

The annual event is the work of Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation, a charity formed in honour of Zaidee Turner, who died from a cerebral aneurysm in 2004.

At seven years of age, Zaidee became an organ and tissue donor, saving and improving the lives of others.

The mud run is an important and fun-filled day on the charity’s calendar, which is why Allan Turner, Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation managing director and proud dad of Zaidee, couldn’t fathom the decline in numbers.

Last year’s event alone attracted 650 participants, nearly triple this year’s figures.

“That aspect was disappointing, given we’ve always had good numbers,” he said.

For those that didn’t attend, Mr Turner says “you missed out badly”.

“It was a fantastic day – everybody got wet, muddy and dirty and really enjoyed themselves,” he said.

“A lot ran the course twice, which is unheard of!

“It was twice the bang for the buck for the ticket, which wouldn’t have happened if we had big numbers.”

The foundation’s primary goal is to ignite discussion, awareness and education about organ and tissue donation, which Mr Turner said was achieved on the day.

But there’s even more to commemorate at the foundation this year.

In December, it will be 20 years since Zaidee passed away and became a donor.

To acknowledge the incredible milestone, The News will be writing monthly articles associated with organ and tissue donation and the foundation.

Until then, get cleaned up, and stay tuned for the first ‘Zaidee’s Rainbow Feature’.