Last Walk for Johno will raise lots for heart disease fight

CHARITY fundraiser Walk for Johno will march towards its fourth and final year next month raising awareness of heart disease.

After their dad, John (Johno) Spencer, died suddenly from a heart attack in 2015, his three daughters Kim, Nicole and Bek, and wife, Sue, were determined to turn their heartbreak into something positive.

This tragic event drove Bek and the family to start a charity walk in memory of their beloved dad that raised awareness of heart disease and funds for the Heart Foundation.

Bek said the annual event, which would be on Saturday March 16, was incredibly special for her
family and that they felt very proud and privileged to do something so wonderful and meaningful to honour Johno.

“Unfortunately, due to family and work commitments, we decided this will be our fourth and final Walk for Johno,” Bek said.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the ongoing generous support we’ve received and can’t thank people enough for that.

“Many people have been impacted by heart disease, and by coming together, we continually build support and awareness of this critical issue in our local community.”

Since Walk for Johno first started in 2016, the annual event has seen more than 500 people participate and raised just over $73,000 in the fight against heart disease, Australia’s biggest killer. Bek said her family wanted to make this final walk the best one yet.

“I urge anyone touched by this disease to lend their support and join us for one last walk to raise funds and awareness to fight heart disease,” she said.

“I have two young children and work four days a week as a health and PE teacher so, sadly, I need to focus my energy and time there, but the Heart Foundation will continue to be a charity we support in other ways.

“Because it’s our last year we are going out with a bang!

“We have lots to offer our walkers this year with a sausage sizzle, cake stall, coffee van, live music, face painting, and a magic show at the conclusion of the walk at Eastern Hub.

“We also have an amazing raffle and an auction.

“If we can reach $100,000 for our last Walk for Johno, we’ll have done dad proud.”

Walk for Johno takes place from Queenscliff to Eastern Hub in East Geelong along the picturesque Bellarine Rail Trail on Saturday March 16.

There are four walk options available of varying distances – from the full 35km walk right through to a 3km stroll.

Walkers will leave from the Queenscliff Rail Trail at 7am and the walk concludes with a celebration at the beautiful Eastern Hub in East Geelong between 2pm and 5pm.

To register or to make a donation, visit doitforheart.org.au/event/walkforjohno2019.

For more information visit the Walk for Johno website at walkforjohno.org or visit the Facebook page.