First responders step up for WA’s sick kids.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
First responders step up for WA’s sick kids.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
PCHF teams up with World Police and Fire Games – Perth 2027.
The World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) and Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (PCHF) have launched their new community partnership ahead of the Games’ historic debut in WA in 2027.
The Games will be held in Perth from 12 to 21 March, welcoming more than 8,500 competitors from over 70 countries and featuring more than 60 sports. Held every two years, the Games are being hosted in Perth for the first time, and mark only the third occasion Australia has staged the international event.
To celebrate the partnership, three PCHF Ambassador Kids, Nate, Ruth and Tyler, went head-to-head with three local first responder athletes in a series of friendly Games-style challenges.
Ruth, 12, lives with cerebral palsy, while Nate, 9, experienced multiple strokes shortly after birth, also resulting in cerebral palsy. Tyler, 10, sustained severe burns and a leg injury after being struck by an out-of-control taxi in New York on Christmas Day, undergoing extensive treatment back in Perth at PCH.
The challenge included events such as basketball, tug-of-war, mini golf, and cornhole. Representing local first responders were WA Police Force Acting Sergeant Taz Etto, Department of Fire and Emergency Services Senior Firefighter Sam Collins, and St John Ambulance Paramedic Taryn Mildenhall.
PCHF CEO Carrick Robinson said the Foundation was proud to partner with the 2027 Games, a world-class event to be hosted here in Western Australia.
“This partnership provides a powerful opportunity to support WA’s sick kids, through raising vital funds for Kids Rehab WA,” Mr Robinson said. “These funds will help to provide life-changing rehabilitation for kids living with disability or recovering from injury – helping them build strength, improve mobility and move forward with confidence.”
Kids Rehab WA is PCH’s specialist rehabilitation service, empowering children through innovative recovery care and ground-breaking equipment and technology. With PCHF support, the program offers early intervention, cerebral palsy mobility and intensive rehabilitation for spinal and acquired brain injuries.
He added: “Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our supporters, Kids Rehab WA can help more kids like Tyler, Nate and Ruth build independence and pursue their dreams.”
Games Executive Director and WA Police Force Inspector Jeremy Petersen said the partnership aligned closely with the values of the World Police & Fire Games.
“The World Police & Fire Games are about standing shoulder to shoulder across agencies, communities and countries,” Inspector Petersen said. “By bringing together police, fire and ambulance representatives, we reflect the spirit of unity at the heart of the Games.
“Partnering with PCHF gives first responders the opportunity to connect with WA kids and families outside of emergency situations, creating fun, positive and lasting memories.”
Organisers expect the Opening Ceremony to attract up to 30,000 spectators, while also uniting active, volunteer and retired law enforcement and emergency services from across the globe.
Spanning 10 days sports on show include angling, cornhole, cycling, ice hockey, judo, pistol shooting, surfing, track and field, truck pull, volleyball and the Ultimate Firefighter competition.
