Lace up for Wombat’s Walk

IN HONOUR of International Child Grief Awareness Month in November, Wombat’s Wish is hosting its first Wombat’s Walk.

As part of the event, attendees will walk laps around the Portarlington Cricket Ground on November 17, collecting sponsorships as they go, with many walking in memory of a parent.

“The idea is they’ll walk laps and they’ll collect sponsorship for each lap that they walk or run on the day,” Wombat’s Wish general manager Nicki Dunne said.

“I’ve had a lot of people approach me who are putting teams together and they’re walking as a team.”

Those keen on participating but unable to make it on the day can still be involved by donating to the fundraiser or walking in their own time.

“They can actually walk laps in their own community or their own town or local oval, and just ring through how many laps they’ve walked and we’ll keep a tally going on the day.”

Along with the walk, there’s plenty of family entertainment on offer with food, live music, a mobile zoo, jumping castles, stalls, face painting, old school games and much more.

The goal of the walk is to raise awareness around what Wombat’s Wish does while creating a big community events and raising funds for the organisation.

Wombat’s Wish offer vital support to young children and young people through residential grief programs, one-to-one counselling, family days and online support lounges.

“One in 20 kids have a parent die before they turn 18, the money that we raise here will directly pay for their grief support from the ages of five to 18,” Ms Dunne said.

“They can come to as many services that we provide, as many times as they want in that life cycle.

“The more we raise, the more children we can provide that holistic service for as long as they want, throughout Victoria.

Ms Dunne said when it came to choosing the walk as an event, she felt it was something everyone could do.

“They could do it in their own time or they could come down to the event and they could do it together with important people around them.

“When you’re grieving, exercise is really healthy, exercise is good for any mental health so it just fit.”

Entry into the event is a gold coin donation, limited EFTPOS facilities will be available throughout the day.

Those wanting to take part in the walk in the day are encouraged to register before hand.

For more information, head to wombatswish.org.au