Two members of the eye health sector – Northern Territory optometrist Helen Summers, and Colette Kinsella who works with Macular Disease Foundation Australia – will trek 60km in late July to raise money for The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Coastrek, a campaign that takes place in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, has raised over AU$23.7 million since 2009. Funds raised support the training of thousands of doctors and nurses, and restore sight to hundreds of thousands of needlessly blind people.
We will be climbing up and down stairs, walking over unforgiving hills, through soft sand and into the wilderness
Ms Summers and Ms Kinsella have teamed up with Northern Territory Police officer Erica Gibson and registered nurse Bridget Mc Swiggan to complete the trek, which will take them over the lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people in south eastern Queensland.
“We will be climbing up and down stairs, walking over unforgiving hills, through soft sand and into the wilderness,” said Ms Kinsella. “There will be blisters, chaffing, aching feet, and exhaustion, however none of this will hold us back.
Ms Kinsella said she committed to Coastrek because the thought of vision loss is daunting. “I have always been passionate about raising awareness for people who are less fortunate than me. This 60km challenge gives me an opportunity to raise funds to help give people the gift of sight”.
Ms Mc Swiggan added, “Losing your vision is a scary thought and I have joined the team to challenge not only myself, but to raise funds to help people at risk of losing sight.”
Donate to Support the Effort
Ms Kinsella, Ms Summers and their team aim to raise AU$2,000 for The Fred Hollows Foundation. To support their effort, make a donation at www.coastrek.com.au/fundraisers/ColetteKinsella3312
A tax deductible receipt will be emailed once you complete your donation.