Ev, Nikki, Marianne, and Vicki all staying well hydrated at a ‘Grey Roots’ team bonding session.
Four Harden locals will be walking 30 kilometres around Sydney’s eastern beaches later this month as a part of Coastrek’s ‘wild women on top’ challenge, raising money for Beyond Blue to help those struggling with mental health challenges.
“Coastrek is Australia’s premier hiking challenge for women. The birthplace of Coastrek back in 2009, the Sydney Coastrek route journeys along some of the most iconic and beautiful coastal trails in the world,” Coastrek’s website states.
“Along with over 10,000 other Coastrekkers, mostly women, our team will be walking a really, really long way to support the three million people in Australia living with anxiety and depression, and those affected by suicide.”
Vicki Fairfield-Smith is the Harden team’s captain, Nikki Bolger, Evelyn Shea and Marianne Fitzgerald will all be walking 30 kilometres around Sydney’s iconic sights on Friday 25th of March, from La Perouse to Kirribilli, taking in the sights of world-class beaches, pristine national parks and views of Sydney Harbour.
All healthcare workers for the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, the team of four has already raised just over $4200 in aims to reach the $5000 target set by the group.
Coastrek offers a 30km, 45km or 60km walk, with the group of four Harden locals choosing the first option.
“There were three selections, so being first timers we are doing the 30-kilometre walk, which starts at Vaucluse, winds its way all around the coastline, then up and over the Harbour Bridge and finishes at Kirribilli,” Marianne said.
The walk starts at 9am and finishes whenever the team completes the 30 kilometres.
The Harden team of four, self-labelled Grey Roots, had an initial target of $2000, with each competing member needing to raise at least $500 each, a figure that they have smashed.
The ages of the Grey Roots team ranges from between 50-60 years old.
“It’s close to our hearts because it is a health-related fundraiser and mental health affects everyone whether you like it or not. Mental health is so important to daily living,” Marianne said.
The team of four have been training up for the event in preparation for the gruelling walk.
“We are all regular walkers four or five times a week and played a lot of sport in town, but I wouldn’t say we’ve been doing 30-kilometre walks in readiness for it,” Marianne joked.
The team is expecting to finish at roughly 4:30pm in the afternoon, with celebrations almost a definite once they complete the walk.
“We’ll head up the evening before to prepare and celebrations are almost guaranteed once someone pulls us up off the finish line,” Marianne continued.
“We’d love to smash that $5000 target and increase it again in the coming fortnight.”
To donate to the Harden team, visit the Grey Roots team on the Coastrek website, or visit one of the four ladies in person.
https://www.coastrek.com.au/fundraisers/GreyRoots
Tim Warren
