Lighthouse Classic to return for third installment

THE THIRD annual Lighthouse Classic next month will aim to raise $70,000 for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute and will continue to remember the life and community service of event founder and Anglesea icon Janet Jones.

On January 8, 2023, members of the community will be encouraged to walk or run the 12km course from Urquharts Bluff to the Aireys Inlet Lighthouse to shine a light on cancer, with all funds directed to cancer research at Ballarat’s Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute – Australia’s only regionally-based cancer research centre.

Before her passing in 2021, Ms Jones was a trailblazer in the cancer research field, having supported and been a board member for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, assisting them with fundraising for the establishment of the facility in the early 1990s.

Ms Jones was always passionate about wanting to help others who faced similar challenges to her 33-year battle with the disease, launching the event to not only fundraise for those touched by the cancer, but to also share her love for the Great Ocean Road and walking with her local community.

Spearheaded by Ms Jones’ children and extended family in 2023, the event hopes to attract upwards of 700 people and aims to raise enough money to fund a new cancer scientist at the Ballarat research centre.

“We are really excited for this year’s event and hope that plenty of people will join us on January 8 and across the month to raise funds for cancer research,” Janet’s son Harry Jones said.

“Mum loved walking along the beach and on our coastline, and we think that the Lighthouse Classic is an amazing opportunity for people to get outside like Mum did, for a fantastic cause.”

Harry said this year’s Lighthouse Classic would be the first one since its inception without pandemic restrictions, meaning that while people could fundraise and walk for the cause any day of the month, the marquee event would be January 8.

“It’ll be great to just see everyone all together for this one. “The last two have been spread across the whole month due to COVID, however now that we can all gather, we are encouraging everyone to get down on January 8.

“We hope everyone can band together and join in on the great cause.”

The official walk will kick off at 9am on Urquhart’s Bluff and each entrant will get a special commemorative Lighthouse Classic cap.

To find out more and to register, head to lighthouseclassic.gofundraise.com.au