Bearing the torch for supportive legacy

A BUNINYONG mother and daughter will soon take part in the centenary celebrations for a veterans’ support agency.

Later this year, Kim Densley and her daughter Ava will be two of about 1500 torch bearers making treks as part of a six-month relay campaign to raise funds for Legacy.

Since starting in France earlier this year, the centenary torch-bearing is now taking place in Australia and reach Ballarat on Tuesday 19 September.

Ms Densley and Ava will be part of the local Legacy club, and together they’ll share the torch bearing duties in a 500-metre stretch of the 50,000-kilometre trek.

The pair have been supported by Legacy for the past five years, and Ms Densley said they’ve been a great source of help.

“Ava’s dad served in Iraq. He was in the Navy and he guarded the oil there,” she said.

“He came back with a myriad of mental illness and alcoholic addiction. He decided everything was too much and he’s left.

“Legacy stepped in and supported Ava. They reached out to us and they’ve been amazing ever since. They’ve even organised a therapist for her and they’ll call and ask if we need anything.”

By taking part in the relay the pair are contributing to the $1 million fund raising goal from the event, which has far gathered more than $230,000.

Having taken part in regular camps with Legacy including a recent trip to Falls Creek, Ava said it’s important for her to support the organisation.

“Legacy’s helped me make different friends and get better with your socialising,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to getting to do this especially with my mum. They’ve been really caring and kind to me so I want to show it back.”

Ms Densley said it’s important to return the favour to Legacy after years of assistance.

“There are families who’ve been in circumstances a lot harder than us, and they’ve treated everyone the same,” she said.

“Ava put in for it and was accepted before they realised she was only 10 years old, so we’ve arranged to do it together.

“I’ll do it on her behalf and she’ll walk beside me with the sash.”

Ballarat Legacy was founded in 1926 and was the third branch of the organisation established in Australia.

Since World War One, Legacy has focused on supporting serving and returned military personnel and their families.