ORGANISERS of the second annual Mother's Day Classic in Stawell were delighted with the support shown by the community, despite poor weather.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Thick fog covered North Park last year for the inaugural Mother's Day Classic and this year, it turned to heavy rain.
While the rain did fall for most of the morning, it did not dampen the spirits of the 220 residents who participated in the event.
Those who did take part ensured North Park was a sea of pink for the start of the event, which was conducted to raise money for breast cancer research.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Cr Murray Emerson officially opened the event, which was started by Kerrie Skene.
The event started under an archway which was purchased through a grant from council.
The crowd was entertained throughout the day by band Orange Whip and Horn Dogs, while participants were warmed up for the run and walk by exercises with Rachel Coverdale from Grampians YMCA.
Swifts Football Netball Club members cooked a barbecue, while a raffle was conducted and winners were Steve LeSeuer, Carly Skene, Debbie Carey and Paul Jones.
The final amount raised is yet to be confirmed.
Thanks to wonderful community support since the event began in 1998, the Mother's Day Classic has had a lasting impact on breast cancer research, with funds raised topping the $25 million mark this year.
National Chair Louise Davidson said the event also aims to honour and support those affected by breast cancer.
"For every pink wig and tutu out on the course, there were participants wearing tribute cards to honour loved ones living with breast cancer or to remember those lost to the disease," Ms Davidson said.
"We try to make Mother's Day Classic a fun and memorable day out, but we never lose sight of our purpose."
The Mother's Day Classic is the biggest single donor to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), funding research projects into detection, prevention, treatment and ultimately finding a cure."
It's not too late to contribute - fundraising is open until June 14, and the 2015 total raised will be announced in mid July.
On average, 40 Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer each day. Research has played a major part in breast cancer survival rates increasing to 89% since the Mother's Day Classic began.
NBCF projects supported by Mother's Day Classic funding include research on improving chemotherapy effectiveness, developing new drugs to treat advanced breast cancer, preventing the spread of cancer to the bone and improving the physical wellbeing of survivors.
