Walk for Wittenoom Children - Day 2
Five kilometres from the West Australian town of Kellerberrin, President Robert Vojakovic of the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia (ADSA) told IBAS that the walkers were on course to complete the second leg of their journey, having covered 230 km since they set off this morning from Yellowdine. The day had gone well and spirits were high, he added. Earlier that afternoon, a truckie had pulled his rig off the road to make a donation. Back in Perth, office manager Antonella Conte confirmed the phones had been ringing non-stop after supporters had seen coverage of the walk in national and regional newspapers and TV or had heard radio reports of the event.1
 Bev Bertocchi, Derryn Carnaby, Siri Siriwardene, Allyson Noble, Rose Marie Vojakovic, Kevin Noble and Robert Vojakovic are among those taking part in the fundraising walk. Picture: Michael Wilson/The West Australian. |
The ADSA's Rose Marie Vojakovic said that tonight the group would be bedding down in a sports complex. An early start will be needed tomorrow (May 3) as the day will begin with a visit to a local school to talk to the children about the purpose of the Walk for Wittenoom Children. Afterwards, the walkers, whose ages range from 17 to 88, will be waved off on their journey through the goldfields and wheatbelt by members of the local community. They are hoping to raise as much as $100,000 for research into asbestos-related diseases. The May 3rd 120 km leg of the journey will take them to Northam, where they will be welcomed by the Mayor.
Up to the minute news of the walk and pictures of the volunteers can be accessed on Facebook sites: Wittenoom Children Charity Walk and Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW DONATIONS CAN BE MADE IN RESPONSE TO THIS EVENT
See: http://www.asbestosdiseases.org.au/current-events.htm
May 2, 2012
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1 See articles: Poloni GD. A Long Trek to Perth to Tackle Mesothelioma. May 1, 2012.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-01/woman-walks-from-kalgoorlie-to-perth-for-mesothelioma/3982472/?site=goldfields§ion=news
Peacock, M. Anger over asbestos mine's deadly legacy. May 1, 2012
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-01/anger-over-asbestos-mines-deadly-legacy/3981878?section=wa
Peacock M. Fundraising walk to highlight asbestos cancers in young Australians. April 30, 2012.
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3492448.htm
