April 18th - T Minus 2 weeks and counting...
Two weeks before the Desert Mums take their first step and you can almost feel the stress in the households of the mums and the support crew building. Here is an update of what is going on.
THE DESERT MUMS
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Susie has begun filming in Canada for the Canadian partners and has been cooking up a storm to keep her family fed while she is away. They will be eating far better than Sue and the other mums. She is now training by power walking through the soft spring snow in Silver Star. |
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Margot is away this week with her family but did not forget to pack her walking boots. She is pictured here walking the streets of Adelaide. |
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Debbie has been out training this week by walking up and down sand dunes for four hours a day. Doesn’t it look like fun? She is happy to report the spring cleaning is done and the house is organised for her departure – now for her! |
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Carolyn has been in the Sydney media a bit last week on top of her training. She is preparing her feet for what lies ahead and increased her sand walks along the beach. |
THE SUPPORT CREW
Just to add another challenge to this adventure the roads to Birdsville are flooded! However never fear, Denis is seeking an alternate route and making a few minor changes in the fuel, food and water dumps. Where there is a will there is a way, even if that way is a couple of hundred kilometers longer.
Andrew is collecting the remainder of the items and getting ready to go in a week, although of course now waiting for new directions from Denis. He has apparently started to receive contraband supplies from the mums, although will deny this if ever questioned by Denis.
With less than a week before Kathy Richey (Canadian documentary maker) leaves she is packing and rechecking equipment. Luckily Air Canada have waived the excess baggage fee.
THE WAYS YOU CAN JOIN THE JOURNEY
Kids driving you up the wall? If you are in Queensland or Melbourne go to your nearest Anaconda store and have a go at climbing their indoor rock wall. The rock walls are great fun and cost a gold coin donation to a chosen charity. During the months of March and April all proceeds from the rock wall are going to The Desert Mums and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. One of the many ways Anaconda are supporting The Desert Mums.
If you are in Melbourne ‘The Last Supper’, a fund raising dinner for The Desert Mums, will be held on April 27 at the new Madeline’s @ Jells restaurant at Jells Park. $35 for limited menu three course dinner with coffee. There will be live music, raffles, and door prizes. All are welcome, contact Michael at Madeline’s @ Jells to book on 9561 4522.
Have you had your guess yet of how many steps you think the Desert Mums will take walking across the Simpson Desert? Entry is a $10 donation and there are fabulous prizes. Entry forms are available online via the NBCF website .
THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Do you know of anyone that might like to make a pledge or donation? Do you know of a company that would want to be associated with four average Australian women undertaking a grueling, uniquely Australian, challenge to benefit complete strangers so that their children may enjoy the gift of growing old with their mothers? Please contact your local desert mum, or Debbie on 0419 583 000 or log on to their web site www.desertmums.com
THE TALLY TOTAL
The Desert Mums are aiming to raise $105,000 to fund a three year research program with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This week they are happy to report that with the generosity of Sally Kinrade from Glaxo Smith Kline and the fund raising efforts of Belinda Trembath from Mt Hotham at the Easter Polo match, along with a number of other donations from individuals and fantastic businesses their tally now stands at…..wait for it….$84,000. As the Swisse team say – Celebrate Life Every Day.