By JESSE GRAHAM
RESIDENTS are being invited to take an early morning walk at Maroondah Dam to help fund support and emergency programs in the Yarra Valley.
The annual Healesville Interchurch Community Care Incorporated (HICCI) Walkathon will be held this Saturday 2 May, at Maroondah Reservoir Park, starting at 8.30am.
Those taking part will be able to take either a one-kilometre walk at the reservoir park or a six-kilometre run from the park to Donnelleys Weir and back.
The walkathon is HICCI’s main fund-raiser for the year, and Emergency Relief co-ordinator Sheree Laumen said money raised would go to all of the organisation’s programs.
“It will go towards the emergency relief program, the transport program and the community dinner at Darron’s,” Ms Laumen said.
She said the funds would buy food for vulnerable community residents to access when needed, and would also support their programs at Yarra Glen.
Last year’s event raised more than $2000.
Ms Laumen said it was the first year that the walkathon would have a fun run component, and that the organisation was also organising prizes for the top runners in the event.
Participants are urged to collect sponsorship forms from the HICCI office next to The Memo Hall in Healesville and to collect sponsorships for the fund-raiser.
Ms Laumen warned that there will be stiff competition for donations, with Healesville resident Sharon Martin topping the fund-raising board two years running.
Entry to the HICCI Walkathon is $10 for individuals and $15 for families if booked before the event, and $15 for individuals and $20 for families on the day of the event.
Registration opens at 8.30am, with the fun runners to start by 9am and the one-kilometre walkers starting at 9.30am.
A sausage sizzle will be held at the end of the walkathon, and each participant will receive a sausage, a bottle of water and a showbag.
For more information, call HICCI on 5965 3529 or visit the office at 231 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.
