CHRISTINE Callinan never imagined what would happen when she rounded up 74 women family members and friends for a fun run eight years ago.
Dubbed Bay Babes because several members, including Ms Callinan, lived at Gymea Bay, they hired a bus to travel to Sydney Domain for the annual Mother's Day Classic, which raises funds for breast cancer research.
Since then, the group has grown to about 700 members, including men. Eleven buses were required this year to make the trip.
Bay Babes has raised $290,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and up to $40,000 each year for the oncology unit at Sutherland Hospital.
The organisation has also raised awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection and has supported women after diagnosis.
For her efforts, Ms Callinan, who remains president of the organisation, has been honoured with a state government community service award.
Ms Callinan said she was "completely surprised and very humbled" by the recognition.
"When I started Bay Babes, my whole intention was to encourage women to feel good about themselves and do something they were passionate about," she said.
"It has been about bringing people together for a common cause."
Ms Callinan, who is married to David and is mother to James, 18, and Zoe, 13, fought her own battle with breast cancer in 2004.
When a friend suggested they take part in the 2006 Mother's Day Classic, she thought "why not, but we are not going to do it by ourselves".
MP FULL OF PRAISE
Miranda MP Barry Collier, who nominated Ms Callinan for the award, described her story as ‘‘inspirational’’.
‘‘Chris Callinan and Bay Babes have made a fabulous contribution to the people of Miranda, Sutherland Shire and indeed, the state,’’ he said.
State MPs can nominate two people each year for a NSW community service award, which ‘‘recognises individuals, who have contributed substantially to the improvement of the quality of life of members of their community, beyond that expected in their usual occupation’’.
Federal MPs take part in similar awards.