April 4th - T Minus 4 weeks and counting...
Only one month to go before The Desert Mums start their 1,100 sand dune, 385km trek across the Simpson Desert for breast cancer research. Here is an update of what is going on.
THE DESERT MUMS
Susan is fitting in her training sessions combined with weekly chiropractor appointments. Soon she will film a segment with Global (Canadian TV network) to air in April their breast cancer month. Milli’s preschool is making May ‘Australia Month’ and will teach the kids about Australia and follow the journey with a map and stories related back from Milli when she speaks with her mum.
Debbie is happy to report her achilles tendonitis has died right down after a couple of weeks text book rest and recovery, and is now back into it training. Still happy and surprised to report she hit the big 440kg on the leg press last week. She is spending time contacting companies searching for donations, and also talking with the media.
Margot has been busy with a variety of training programs including Pilates, body balance, hiking Mt Lofty in the Adelaide Hills and bike riding. Margot and Susan are also following up the media for the few days they have in Adelaide together before the walk.
Carolyn is walking 12kms most days and up to 25kms on weekends which she is thoroughly enjoying and just can’t wait to get started. She has been walking with good friends and on days by herself the company of her ipod has been a great help
THE SUPPORT CREW
The gear has started to arrive at Denis and Andrews houses. They are a little unsure as to how everything is going to fit into the cars and trailers, and they haven’t even picked up the gear from Anaconda yet. The logistics of taking care of everyone in the desert has been virtually a full time job. Denis has made some slight moderations to protect the inside of his new four wheel drive, hoping it might come back in the same condition it left?
THE DOCUMENTARY
For those of you who don’t know the mums are happy to report that Kathy Richey will now be accompanying them on the walk and donating her time to film and edit the footage. There is a fair bit of interest in the finished product. (All mums have now added some lippy to their packing list!)
THE KING CLUB & ANALYZER FINANCIAL SERVICES
This weekend the amazing staff at the King Club in Wantirna Victoria traveled 385km on their treadmills to raise money for The Desert Mums. The staff rotated shifts and began at 7am and were all finished by about 12.30. All staff got involved including those from the gym, swim school, beauty salon and café! What an awesome team effort and over $8,000 was raised for the day! Incredible generosity from all staff and members. A huge thank you to Pam Wheatley and Monique Robinson for putting in the energy to organise the treadmill trek and all the other initiatives the King Club are organizing to support The Desert Mums and the NBCF. You’ll hear more in the weeks to come. A massive thank you also to the team from Analyzer Financial Services (big supporters of The Desert Mums) who stood outside in the cold talking to people about NBCF clad in their pink feather boas. They raised awareness for the cause, nearly $250 from their sausage sizzle, and cooked a great and well earned lunch at the end.
THE POLAR STEPS COMPETITION
How many steps does it take to walk across the Simpson Desert? How many steps closer will The Desert Mums take us to a cure for breast cancer? Well have a guess in the “Polar Guess the Number of Steps” competition and you could win yourself some great prizes including a polar fitness pack, Falls Creek ski holiday, tents, hiking gear and a pair of MBT’s. Entry is a $10 donation and entry forms are available online via the NBCF website , scroll down the home page and follow the links to The Desert Mums.
THE DESERT
Reports back from the Simpson at the moment are that the desert is dryer than usual making the sand very soft and the sand dunes even harder to climb! This makes towing a trailer loaded with supplies virtually impossible so Denis Bartell, leading the support crew, will now leave a week earlier than planned and make many trips out to the desert from Birdsville to bury fuel, water and food. This trip will take Denis to around 80 crossings of the Simpson Desert in one form or another – the mums are in good hands.
THE TOTAL
The Desert Mums are proud to report they have raised around $50,000 so far. There are still many more fundraising nights/raffles/opportunities. They are determined to reach their target of $105,000 before they leave. If you know of a way you, your company/school/kinder/community can contribute to The Desert Mums please do not hesitate to contact The Desert Mums either directly or via their website www.desertmums.com
The Desert Mums are proof great things happen when we all work together – join their journey.