Classic reaches 10-year milestone
Mother’s Day Classic committee members are encouraging Wimmera people to tie up their shoelaces and join them at annual breast cancer fundraising events.
Participants at Horsham and Stawell will run – or walk – designated courses on Sunday, May 12, to raise money for National Breast Cancer Foundation.
As the Horsham event reaches a 10year milestone, organiser Jackie Exell said it was as important now as ever for people to get behind the cause.
“Statistics show one in eight women are affected by breast cancer in their lifetime,” she said.
“So, we are trying to do our part to make a difference in the generations to come.”
Fellow committee member and breast-cancer survivor Janine English said making a difference for the future would always be a number-one focus.
“We want to move towards eliminating cancer,” she said.
“It so common. A lot of people aren’t as lucky as I was. This event means that hopefully we can help save someone else from what I’ve gone through.
“The more people we have come along means more money will be raised for breast-cancer research.”
The Horsham event sets off at 8.15am from Sawyer Park soundshell and includes a four-kilometre walk and eight-kilometre run.
The committee has again challenged the region’s businesses to show their support by vying for the MIXX FM Workplace Warriors shield.
The business with the most registrations will not only get its name on the shield, it will win an advertising package with The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations MIXX FM and 3WM.
Stawell’s sixth year
Stawell will enter its sixth year participating in the event and organiser Kerry Wilson said she was eager to spread the word for a cause that hit home for a ‘shocking’ number of people.
“It is an issue close to many people in our community,” she said.
“I actually think I am one of the rare ones who is not affected in some way.
“We are almost at the point where people go, ‘oh, another person’ – it is just so common.
“Because of this you would think we would be able to get on top of it and progress with research, but it isn’t always so.
“Stawell event numbers have declined over the years – the first event was absolutely fantastic – but like with other events, participation can tend to dwindle a little.
“So we are just trying to get the message out to different groups and encourage people to join in.”
Stawell’s event will centre on North Park and includes a four-kilometre and 400-metre limited mobility walk, and a four-kilometre and eight-kilometre run.
Ms Wilson said Stawell would also host its second ‘Eventide Classic’, designed for Eventide Homes residents and their family and friends.
“The Eventide Classic allows residents who can’t get out on Mother’s Day to participate with a small walk around the grounds and a barbecue,” she said.
“It was really nice last year so we are doing it again. And we always encourage people to wear pink – there are prizes for best dressed on the day.
“We always have a couple where the male partner ends up wearing pink leggings or stockings.
“A lot of people look forward to what ‘he’ shows up in, and it is great to see all the pink going through the ironbark in North Park.
“It is a nice event to get together with others on Mother’s Day, and a way of remembering women in our lives as well.”
People can collect a form from Stawell Library or register on the day.
Ms Wilson said vacant shop 108 in Main Street would also have volunteers ready to take registrations on May 10 and 11.
Registrations for both Horsham and Stawell events are open online at www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/ register.
Edenhope will also host an event.