Big Byron Run 160km challenge for women in crisis

FOUNDER of the Byron Run Club, Nate Thornbury is running 160km in support of the Fletcher Street Cottage’s Women’s Emergency Relief Program.

The one-day marathon challenge on October 5, aims to raise awareness and $5,000 of funding to support women facing domestic violence and homelessness in the Byron shire.

Thornbury said the $5,000 target would help support vulnerable women and show the local community’s support for the work of Fletcher Street Cottage.

“I will be running 40 four-kilometre loops around Byron Bay in an attempt to raise awareness for what they are doing in our community,” he said.

“Victims of domestic violence have been grossly overlooked and underrepresented in modern-day awareness and protective efforts.

“The only way I feel we can help is by shining a light on the sad situation and taking a public stand to help promote protection and preventative efforts.”

The community is being asked to support Thornbury’s mammoth effort with whatever is manageable to individual supporters.

Supporters are also encouraged to participate by running alongside for part of the journey or by cheering from the sidelines.

The Byron Run Club will be hosting a raffle on the day to raise additional funds.

Local businesses and individuals can still contribute to the prize pool.

An after party will be held upstairs at the Byron Community Centre from 4pm to 9pm with drinks, pizza, and raffle prizes to celebrate the achievement and the collective efforts of the Byron community.

“I’m incredibly proud of the steps that Fletcher Street Cottage has taken to help women in our community,” Thornbury said.

“Hopefully, the Big Byron Run will gain some attention and get people willing to support it and the women we should all be doing more for.”

For more information or to donate, head to pozible.com/project/big-byron-run