Geoff Smith and Phil Purdy from the Rotary Club of Werribee. 75518 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
BY xavier smerdon
A GROUP of Werribee residents with hearts of gold will be donning their walking shoes in the name of charity.
The Rotary Club of Werribee is getting ready to embark on their annual 200 kilometre charity walk, an event that has been running for the last three years to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program (VPPC).
The event was started after Liat Harrower lost her young son Mitchell to a rare and incurable disease in 2008.
Ms Harrower became frustrated by spending many months applying for funding and equipment to help look after her son. Once Mitchell passed away, Ms Harrower approached the Rotary Club of Werribee who decided to start an event that would improve the situation for others.
Geoff Smith from the club said in the first year the event was held close to $18,000 was raised. Last year they raised around $25,000 and this year they will be hoping to double that amount.
The walk will last for nine days and will take place in the North-East region of Victoria with all competitors challenged to raise at least $1000 towards the cause.
The event starts on Thursday 15 March. For more information check out www.rchfoundation.com.au/event/200k2012 or call Geoff Smith on 0419 235 611.
