fbpx

An epic trek for a tender life lost

sunset over the mountainsKellee McDougall Walk for Cancer Cure

When Peta Hughes lost her daughter to cancer, her friend Linda Stanley suggested they do something remarkable in her honour.

At the tender age of 29, Kellee McDougall passed away on 1 May 2009 after a three-year battle with bowel cancer. The Kellee McDougall Walk for Cancer Cure is an inspiring challenge to walk the 965 kilometre Bibbulman Track in Western Australia to fundraise for cancer research.

Stanley says she will ‘walk the walk’ to raise funds, setting off on 4 April from Albany to the northern terminus in Kalamunda. She will be making the courageous journey with her dear friend Peta, Kellie’s mum, by her side.

The Bibbulman Track stretches nearly 1000 kilometres through Western Australia, beginning from Kalamunda near Perth, to the historic town of Albany. The Track was officially opened in October 1979, although walkers have been using the Track throughout the seventies.

“I walked the 800 kilometre Camino pilgrim trail across France and Spain in 2006, and then walked the Via Francigena in Italy in 2008. I planned to walk the Bibbulman Track this year,” said Stanley.

“Once Peta had agreed to join me, I had the idea to get sponsors for the walk and donate the funds to a cancer research charity.”

The ladies are determined to raise more funds for the cause and have been gearing up further support from the local community. In late January they held a sausage sizzle at the Kalamunda Farmers Market Stone Fruit Festival and raised $400.

“Wow, what a fantastic day… We managed to raise $400 toward our target of $6000 for the Cancer Research Foundation. Thanks everyone,” the ladies wrote on their fundraising page.

The inspiring pair will say goodbye to family and friends on the Easter Weekend before heading down to Albany to go ‘Walkabout’.

This is a tremendous effort by the pair! ACRF wishes the ladies the best of luck for their trek – we can’t wait for all the photos and updates!

Linda & Peta are to complete their walk on Sunday the 30th of May, a welcoming party will meet them at the Kalamunda Farmers Market at 10.30am.

If you would like more information on organising a fundraising event that raises money for the ACRF, click here.