Three Batemans Bay women will hit the pavement for charity when they participate in a Walk for Chloe Saxby in Melbourne this May.
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Lee Connell, Gemma Green and Ashlee Smart will take part in the walk to raise money for Chloe Saxby, a nine-year-old Wollongong girl with the rare Vanishing White Matter Disease.
Chloe was diagnosed with the disease in five years ago – one of only seven cases in Australia – which leads to deterioration of the central nervous system’s white matter.
The Saxby family spent a much-needed break at Fiona Lodge, Rosedale in January, 2018 – a holiday facility for families of children with a life-threatening illness.
They have spent much of the past two years raising vital funds for research into a cure for the disease.
Chloe’s parents Nyree and Grant launched the ‘Save Chloe Saxby’ campaign in 2016 to raise $2.6 million to fund vital research.
It is hoped the May event will go a long way in helping their cause.
In preparation for the May event, the Batemans Bay trio, who are colleagues at the Batemans Bay Visitor Information Centre, will host a 35km training walk from Batemans Bay CBD to Moruya on Friday.
The women will accept donations from passersby.
Ms Smart has made an emotional video explaining why she got involved.
Ms Connell said the walk was their way of helping the cause.
“It’s a personal challenge but it’s nothing compared to what people who have this awful disease are dealing with,” Ms Connell said.
“I am looking forward to sharing the experience with like-minded people. I hope I can contribute to the work towards finding a cure for Vanishing White Matter Disease and ultimately helping the Saxby family.”
Ms Smart encouraged her colleagues to participate after being friends with the Saxbys in Wollongong.
“I was just throwing the idea out there, I didn’t actually officially ask them. They’re awesome – they just decided together they were going to come with me,” Ms Smart said.
“When I found out about the 100km walk, I was a little bit nervous at first. I don’t think I have ever walked more than 20km. Then I realised that isn’t the point – Chloe struggles every day, her family fights for her every day. I’m damn sure that I can struggle for 100km to help find a cure for Chloe.”
The ‘Walk for Chloe’ will take place in Victoria from Sorrento pier to Federation Square over two days on the May 3 and 4.
Each women has a funding page:
Lee - https://www.mycause.com.au/page/170978/lee-connell
Ashlee - https://www.mycause.com.au/page/170118/ashlee-smart
Gemma - https://www.mycause.com.au/page/170116/gemma-green
Further information on Chloe and her fight can be found online here.
