Some 132 walkers converged on the Mansfield end of the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) on Friday, 26 April with participants raising funds for Mansfield Autism Statewide Services’ expansion of services for autistic children and families at their Mansfield campus.
In teams of two to 10, about 40 walkers took on the 30km challenge while the majority tackled the 15kms as part of the inaugural Lake High – Great Victorian Walk for Autism with walkers raising an impressive $29,960.
According to Event Manager Judy Dixon the walkers came from Queensland, King Island, metropolitan Melbourne, Inverloch, Albury – all over the place. “Some came because they had a family connection to autism and to our service, others because it’s a great social cause with a very tangible outcome and many because it was simply a fabulous excuse to make a ‘long’ weekend of it in Mansfield’s High-Country while being active and social,” she said.
The highest fundraising team went to Wandering Wildflowers, a group of local women who took on the 15km challenge with gusto, raising $2,651. The team’s goal was to of help get autistic children and their families off wait lists. Each of the ten members of the team received a $400 voucher for a High-Country Hiking Tour and a backpack. Abiah Thorp was the highest individual fundraiser who raised $2,405 winning a Global Ballooning voucher worth $350.
Ms Dixon thanked the numerous organisations and individuals that contributed to the success of the event. “Notably the Victorian Government for a grant to assist with the costs of starting the event – one we hope will grow into one of regional significance,” she said. “Based on the glowing feedback, about the fantastic trail, the event organisation, the cause, the vibe and the fun, I’m confident it will become a signature event for Mansfield Autism Statewide Services”.
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