Bridge Contributor, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper
Barham/ Koondrook you did it!
You walked from Barham to Broome and back (plus some) – a massive 16,109km.
And you raised a whopping $25,000 for the Local Health Medical Trust.
The Barham 2 Broome and Back virtual fundraising walk was held throughout November, ending on Friday with a community walk and celebration.
People were asked to sign up, commit to their own fundraising and walking goals, and walk in their local area during November.
Walkers signed up from right around our region, plus from as far away as Sydney and even Dubai!
All funds raised will go to the Local Health Medical Trust, a volunteer-run group that owns and maintains the Barham Health Hub (GP clinic, dental clinic, blood collection centre and podiatrist) and advocates for improved local health services.
- $25,000 raised
- 16,109km walked
- 158 walkers and teams
- Most km walked (individual) – Don Taylor 628km
- Most km walked (team) – Barham Bakery 1,948km
- Most money raised (individual) – former Barham ambulance officer, Scott Murphy, who raised $1,000
- Most money raised – Michelle Robinson’s team ($1,530) closely followed by Barham Public School ($1,465) The Local Health Medical Trust’
Robin May said they were overwhelmed with the support shown to the trust through this fundraiser.
“It was an amazing effort from our walkers and everyone who sponsored the walk. We set the goal of $15,000 and 15,000km and you did it all and more!” she said.
“There were some awesome team efforts, like Barham Public School which raised $1,465 and the Barham Bakery which walked 1,948km. And Don Taylor blitzed the walk as an individual, racking up 628km.
“Ultimately though, if you walked 600km or 20km, raised $1,000 or $10, every bit added up to this amazing outcome, and on behalf of the medical trust, I want to thank each of you.”
Robin said it had been wonderful to see the power of the virtual walk to raise money.
“We had super support from local businesses who made large contributions, and from local people sponsoring their friends and family to walk,” she said.
“But, because walkers could share their goals online, we had donations coming in from all around Australia and the world, it was so wonderful to see.
“In total, we had 234 donors – thank you to each and every one of you.”
She thanked event sponsors and local business supporters including Sunrice, Murray River Accounting, Koondrook Barham Lions Club, O’Brien’s Redgum, JBS Foods Yambinya Feedlot, Glowrey’s Riverina Law Firm, Elders Barham and our local member, Sussan Ley.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 9 December 2021.
