A Fundraiser’s Tale – Running Scared
24 February 2011 at 2:47 pm
As three businessmen in Melbourne prepare to take part in the Oxfam Melbourne Trailwalker Challenge this year, one of them considers just why he’s doing it!
Andrew Howard is a Senior Portfolio Manager with a major financial firm in Melbourne. With his three team mates, Stu Place, Chris Collins and Dan Vanden Boom, he is taking part in the Oxfam Melbourne Trailwalker Challenge.
The endurance run/walk will start at Jell's Park at Wheelers Hill and conclude at Wesburn Park somewhere out Warburton way. The course is a challenging 100kms and the fundraisers plan to complete it in 15 hours!
Andrew says the 100 kilometre challenge led to the team name for this year – Running Scared.
He says they felt that this name summed up exactly how they are, and will, be feeling!
If that’s not enough they are Team Number 13 and Andrew says he’s not yet determined whether this is a good or bad omen.
And yes, the date for the big event is April 1st.
With the date fast approaching the boys agree they have much more training to do as well as whipping up dollars.
So why are these fundraisers putting themselves through this pain?
Andrew says it’s simple – to raise money for Oxfam Australia which works to fight poverty in 26 countries around the world including Indigenous Australia. And they hope to raise $10,000 this year. More than $4,800 has already been raised.
More than 700 teams of four will take part in Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne on the weekend of 1-3 April 2011. Their challenge? To walk (or run) 100km within 48 hours.
Oxfam TRAILWALKER is a massive logistical exercise. Over 800 volunteers work during the event weekend to make it possible. Volunteers work in various roles from checkpoint coordinators, trail marshals and parking coordinators to drivers, check-in and out operators, podiatrists and physiotherapists.
Oxfam TRAILWALKER takes place at three locations in Australia – Melbourne (April 2011), Brisbane (June) and Sydney (August)
Check out Team Running Scared at http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/Melbourne/team/13
