Geraldton midwife joins HBF Run for a Reason raising awareness of paternity fraud

A team from Geraldton took part in the HBF Run for a Reason at the weekend, raising awareness of paternity fraud after recently receiving certification to begin a not-for-profit foundation in April. Geraldton midwife Sharna Timmer travelled to Perth on the weekend and attended the HBF Run for a Reason, joining the festivities to raise awareness of misattribution of paternity and paternity fraud throughout Australia. The Reynoldswrite Foundation recently received certification of incorporation and aims to provide education about paternity fraud, its impacts and solutions while supporting families affected by paternity fraud. Ms Timmer wants to generate support of DNA testing at birth to reduce misattribution of paternity and paternity fraud. She said it was important children knew their accurate family medical history from birth in case of health defects or problems down the track. Her daughters Pippa, who attends Waggrakine Primary School, ran 4km with her sister Kaylee, who attends Leaning Tree Steiner School. Ms Timmer said Pippa received a participation medal and showed her teacher and classmates at school on Monday morning. “There were lots of other family members and friends who also came to do the run with us on Sunday too, it was a team effort,” she said. The HBF fundraiser raised over $1 million with 35,000 people participating in the run.