Fundraising fun run goes virtual

Organisers of a Mother’s Day cancer fundraiser in Horsham plan to save the event amid restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 virus, by launching it as a ‘virtual’ event.

Horsham Mother’s Day Classic fun run, which typically attracts more than 300 people, will follow a national model and run the May 10 event online.

Committee member Jackie Exell said organisers would discuss alternative ways people could participate, with the event becoming an ‘interactive online experience’.

“A lot of our communication will be via social media and we’ll be encouraging everyone to get online and really build that virtual online community to keep our spirit going,” she said.

“We have a number of followers on our Facebook page, we intend on growing that.

“With any luck there will be a few laughs, because I think people need that at the moment.”

In past years participants would meet at Horsham Soundshell and register for either a four-kilometre walk or eight-kilometre run.

Ms Exell said the Mother’s Day Classic board had advised this year’s virtual 2020 program would include inspiring community and fundraising content, photo competitions, fitness videos and dancing competitions.

“There will be a series of exclusive wellness tips and tutorials, pilates and yoga classes, sponsor prizes and giveaways,” she said.

Ms Exell said having a method to maintain the event would be an effective tool to keep momentum going for the growing fundraiser, which raised much-needed money for cancer research.

“This event is massive. The last couple of years we’ve been able to raise about $10,000 towards the cause each year,” she said.

“The traction we have now is from more than a decade of effort to build the event.

“We’d love to be able to maintain some momentum. With any luck, coronavirus won’t be something we’re talking about this time next year.”

She said the committee was lucky to have time on its side to plan the event.

“A lot of the people who support the event might be undergoing treatment for breast cancer and the last thing we want to do is compromise their health,” she said.

“We have the benefit that it’s not until May, so we have planning time up our sleeve.”

Ms Exell said hosting the online version of the event could be a way to boost morale in the community.

“That social isolation caused by the virus – that impacts on people’s mental health,” she said.

“Exercise is a great way to overcome those sorts of issues. We want people to feel included and see that they’re taking care of themselves.

“This is not a situation people have faced before.”