THE Cancer Council NSW has expressed a huge vote of thanks to all from Portland, Wallerawang, Lithgow and district who supported local identities Laurie Bender and Barry Rushworth, as they recently did their thing for the fifth year in a row to raise funds for Cancer Council through the annual Walk for Cancer.
This year it was Portland’s turn to start the event with over 300 locals gathering on Sunday May 27 to take part in the 11km walk to Wallerawang.
Everyone was in great spirits and put their best foot forward in the name of cancer research.
Cancer Council Western Division spokesman Debbie Thornberry said she was delighted to announce Laurie and Barry along with their band of supporters from the surrounding communities have so far raised more than $51,000.
“This outstanding result would not have been possible without the support and participation of the community,” Ms Thornberry said.
“Laurie and Barry are just a couple of the thousands of people across the state each year who participates in Cancer Council’s Do Your Thing fundraising program.
This means you fundraise in a way that suits you.”
The annual walk began in 2008 with a wager between two friends and since then has raised the amazing total of $134,512.55.
The money raised through the Wallerawang to Portland Walk for Cancer will allow Cancer Council to fund research projects and it will also help local cancer patients and their carers with guidance, information and support and fund over $16 million in essential research programs and services such as the Cancer Help line 13 11 20.
Ms Thornberry said just $5 can help the Cancer Council give newly diagnosed cancer patient printed information and resources to help them through their cancer journey while $500 can help fund research into the causes of cancer and into new and improved treatments.
“I hope everyone is proud to have been involved in this uplifting event.
Once again, we thank the communities of Wallerawang, Portland and district for helping to reduce the strain cancer can have on our lives,” she said.
(If you’d like to know more about how you too can Do Your Thing and raise funds doing your own event your own way for Cancer Council, visit www.doyourthing.com.au.)