Over 1,200 staff, patients, families, volunteers, friends and members of the community came together on Sunday 24 March at Footscray Park for the annual WalkWest fundraiser in support of Western Health.
It’s the biggest turnout in the event’s five-year history raising $100,000 towards the new Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital.
“WalkWest continues to grow year-on-year thanks to the increased interest and support of the community,” says Julia White, Director of Western Health Foundation.
“There’s no other event quite like this in the west and it’s something that everyone can participate in regardless of their age or ability.”
“We are delighted with the turnout and the result from this year’s event. Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, fundraised and/or donated.”
The family-friendly event involves participants walking or running 2km, 5km or 10km along the Maribyrnong River, while raising funds for Western Health.
“This year we had 115 active fundraisers who collectively raised $32,360 on top of paying their registration entry. It’s a fantastic result,” says Julia.
“Our congratulations to Glenn Hay and the team at Western Health Radiology who won the top individual and top team fundraising awards.”
All proceeds from the event are in support of the new Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital which is due to open in mid-May.
“Western Health Foundation is raising funds to purchase extra equipment and special enhancements that will support mothers and babies,” says Julia.
“We are so grateful to the community for coming together to support this wonderful new facility which will provide best care for families across Melbourne’s west.”
As well as the 1,150 participants who came out for the day, close to 90 volunteers were also on-site to assist with registrations, course marshalling and to cheer on participants.
“We would like to thank our amazing volunteers from across our Western Health campuses as well as students from Greystone College, Copperfield College, Overnewton Anglican Community College, Keilor Downs Secondary College, Mount St. Josephs Girls’ College and St Albans Secondary College,” says Julia.
“We would also like to thank our event sponsors to which their generous support makes putting on a community event like WalkWest possible. “
“We would like to particularly acknowledge Dow Chemical Australia as our 2019 WalkWest Event Partner. Dow have signed on as WalkWest Event Partner for the next three years and for this we are particularly grateful.”
Other WalkWest 2019 sponsors include: Gold Sponsors – NuFarm and Dorovitch Pathology; Silver Sponsors - BankVic, City West Water, LendLease, Victoria University, Vinidex and the University of Melbourne; Bronze Sponsors - Kane Constructions, Maxxia and13 Cabs; Media Partner – StarWeekly.
