On October 10th this year, I will be running in the
Melbourne Marathon as part of the Lonely Planet team, helping raise awareness and much needed funds for
Motivation Australia.
Motivation Australia is a not for profit charity that works to enhance the quality of life of people with mobility disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region. People without a wheelchair are virtually prisoners in their own homes. They are denied their right to mobility, independence, access to employment, the ability to participate in family, community and social events.
As a team, we are hoping to raise $20,000. If you can help with a donation, please click
here to go to our fundraising page.
Thanks for your support.
Variety, the Children's Charity is dedicated to enriching the lives of children in need throughout Australia. As a fundraiser, the inaugural Santa Fun Run took place on Thursday 10th December at Albert Park, just south of Melbourne.
For me, the main attraction to this fun run (other than helping raise funds of course), was the fact that upon registering at the HQ, you were given a 5-piece Santa suit to wear for the duration of the race! As a sea of red and white began to fill the grounds of Albert Park, my friends and I got together and realised how fantastic we all looked.
As the clouds started to build, Chris and I lined up ahead of the others as we were doing the 10km run (they were doing the 5km walk). The 'real' Santa dropped by for a visit as the starting gun went off and the running began. Immediately the Santa suits were flapping in the wind as the not-so-efficient belts began to break. About 10 minutes into the run the heavens opened with
horizontal rain, thunder and lightning. Laughing at the fact that there were now many soggy Santas running/walking around a lake, I felt for the organisers who previously postponed this event in November due to bad weather.
But like any good Santa, our work had to continue and Chris and I kept on going. I jokingly said that it would probably be sunny by the time we reached the finish line, and in true Melbourne style it sure was! Walking to the car and driving home through St Kilda in full Santa suit, we certainly had some strange looks - it must have been my big bright rosie cheeks!
An off-road triathon is the type of race I really have a passion for, however, it's events like the
Marysville Marathon that spark other one of my passions - doing things for a great cause.
When a friend of mine asked if I could do some walks with her to help her get fit for summer, I jumped at the chance, especially when it meant being a part of this event which supports the Marysville SES, CFA and Kingbilly Wildlife Rescue.
In its first year, this event has been created to re-invigorate the community, tourism and pride in this once gracious town that was destroyed by the Black Saturday bushfires in February this year.
Starting at 11am from Gallipoli Park in Marysville, we walked 10km predominantly along Falls Road which was once surrounded by lush green bushland. Now, we could only really see black tree stumps with the beginings of green regrowth. Our walk took us up to Steavenson Falls which suprisingly had quite a bit of water, but was surrounded by many many burnt trees. Walking back to the finish line, we passed letterboxes that no longer had a house attached. It was very sad to think of the people who lost so much in the fires, however it was lovely to see so many people taking part in this event which raised funds and brought tourism back to the region.
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How to Fundraise:
- tell as many people as you can about the event you are taking part in. Ask them to tell their friends
- ensure there is an easy way for people to donate - either directly to you or referring them to a website link
- express your passion for the cause you are supporting. Enthusiasm is contagious and goes a long way in encouraging others to donate
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Sunday 11th October staged a gorgeous day for the 2009 St George Melbourne Marathon.
Starting by the banks of the Yarra on Batman Avenue, Zeljko and Jason were the first to set off at 7am for their Marathon (42.1km) run. At 7.30am, myself, Charity, Glenn, Hunor, Chris, Ruth & Howard started our 10km race and were the first group to run to the finish line in the MCG around an hour later. 8am saw the half marathoners (21km) start and Ed, Caroline, Bryony, Adam, Jasna, Lorna and Tom made their way to Albert Park before merging with the returning Marathon runners on their way back to the MCG. At 10.30am whilst Jason and Zeljko were still out on their marathon course, Jen, Sam & Lilian set off for their 5km walk. We also had 9 friends of LP staff who ran various distances.
As a team, Lonely Planet performed extremely well with the following results:
Half Marathon - 7th out 24 (in the social category)
10k race - 8th out of 26 (in the social category)
We were even more excited about the true nature of this event – raising funds for the Angkor Children’s Hospital in Cambodia. We are proud to announce that with the Planet Wheeler Foundation’s matching contribution, we will be donating $14,547 to this children’s hospital. This is such an amazing result and we have you and all the runners’ family and friends to thank for this.
Supporting the Angkor Childrens Hospital - Cambodia
My next race is running 10km in the
Melbourne Marathon and as part of the Lonely Planet team, I am helping raise funds for the
Angkor Childrens Hosptial in Cambodia. This is a free hospital for children, of which most are treated for Pneumonias and respiratory diseases. The need for oxygen tanks for the simple treatment of helping a child breathe costs approximately $1000 per month.
I am aiming to personally raise $300 to help support this hospital. If you can help with a donation, please click
here to go to my personal fundraising page.
Thanks for your support.
