Moorabool News The
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Tuesday 27 October, 2020
Your Local News
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Vol 14 No 43
TEAM BEN – (L-R) Sisters Ashleigh, Hannah, Angus (Dad), Ginny (Mum), Abbigayle and Mia with 6-year old Ben who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis. Photo - submitted
Getting into stride By Caitlin Bewley (3rd Yr Swinburne Uni) “It’s not about the money, it’s about the message” a local businessman has said when describing his ongoing involvement in an annual initiative. This week sees the commencement of a Cystic Fibrosis Australia initiative called Great Strides. The event, which is usually held in Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens, adapted to the COVID-19 climate, and has moved into an online space for the first time. St Anne’s Winery are stakeholders in the cause and have participated in the Great Strides Walk for the last six years. Angus McLean told the Moorabool News the event helps drive awareness of Cystic Fibrosis to everyday Victorians.
“The initiative aims to show people what [Cystic Fibrosis] is, and to get increased funding for it, awareness of it, and to support Cystic Fibrosis sufferers. “Historically, [Great Strides] has been a casual race around the Botanical Gardens track, and a 4km run,” Mr McLean said “This year it can’t happen, so it’s gone virtual. Teams are doing it in their own spaces, and there’s a lot of accrued steps and distances to get to their set targets.” The initiative holds significant meaning to Mr McLean and his family, with one of their own a sufferer of the condition. “Our son has cystic fibrosis, he’s six so this is our sixth year at it. We’ve got some skin in the game, you could say,” he said.
Team Big Ben have raised around a thousand dollars for the cause, but Mr McLean said the money isn’t their main driver for participation. “It’s not about the money, it’s about the message,” he said. “So many people don’t realise what Cystic Fibrosis is, and that it’s Australia’s number one genetic condition. “Cystic Fibrosis is an invisible, horrible disease, and it’s important we champion this cause for the generation of kids who continue to be born with it to unsuspecting parents.” Mr McLean said people’s personal efforts and donations make a big difference to little guys like Ben who don’t understand the condition they have yet. If you are interested in supporting Team Big Ben, potential donators can visit: https://greatstridescf.raisely.com/t/teambigben to donate.
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