CSC- support an ultra-marathon!

August 13, 2025

From 28th of September to the 4th of October 2025, a long-time CSC friend, David Grosse, will be competing in a 250km ultra-marathon across the wildest areas of the Peloponnese in Greece, raising funds for Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). https://www.racingtheplanet.com/greece.

The idea of giving back and making the world a better place is a large part of the RacingThePlanet ethos. Throughout the years, RacingThePlanet has donated much-needed funds and supplies to an assortment of charities around the globe. David has picked Children's Surgical Centre. His Greek Odyssey will take him on trails, weaving through olive groves, along the sea, through hidden ravines, and climbing to reach stunning views of mountains, rolling countryside, and the Aegean Sea. To add some extra challenge, the race is self-supported, so they will be carrying all their provisions, clothes and equipment for the week, albeit (hopefully) the tents will be set up and waiting at the end of each stage.

David has been raising funds for the CSC since 2010, when he foolishly agreed to run/limp across 250km of the wild north of Western Australia. It was brutal, and he swore never again. So, 11 events and 2250km later, he is back for one last event (again) to raise money for CSC.

David has visited Cambodia, Jim, and the CSC team a couple of times, which made a deep impression on him and his family, especially CSC's work and story, from its beginnings helping victims of landmine injuries, into what is now a teaching hospital with over 70 Cambodian staff performing free or low-cost surgery for economically disadvantaged patients.

Visiting the CSC was both humbling and a privilege for David. As well as offering Cambodians access to life-changing surgery, we train Khmer surgeons and staff, and provide an opportunity to work with international surgeons and other volunteers from all over the world. This helps develop local skills and knowledge that contribute to long-term improvements in healthcare across the country. Please consider supporting David as he supports our work at CSC https://csc.org/campaigns/david/

Author: Ellen Interlandi

Ellen, a registered nurse, and her husband Brian, an anesthesiologist, have been active volunteers at CSC since 2008. Ellen has undergraduate degrees in both Nursing and Spanish Literature, and a graduate degree in Health Management. Since 2020, Ellen has volunteered in the role of Stakeholder Relations, connecting with our generous supporters, interacting with visiting surgeons and students, and disseminating updates on Children's Surgical Centre.