Why I am supporting Make-A-Wish® with my run around Australia
When my friend passed away in 2016 as a healthy 18-year-old in an unexplained death, it crushed me and it changed my life. It put what is important to me in life into a whole new perspective. It made me realise that life is incredibly precious, and we must chase our dreams now.
In December 2017, I came up with the goal to run around Australia in 2021, in his honour. At first, I was going to call to support The Compassionate Friends Victoria Charity (TCFV), a charity that help grieving families.
2019 was a transformational year for me in many ways. I took my running to another level, completing 50 Marathons in 50 Days (January 4-February 22) and a 24-hour run (July 27-28), supporting TCFV.
In October 2019, after fundraising $30,000 for TCFV and raising considerable awareness, I decided to pivot and support Make-A-Wish® Australia going forward. It was an incredibly hard decision to change charity and the name of the run around Australia project to Run for Wishes, but I had to honour my heart and do what I believed was right.
I write this today, with nothing but a smile on my face. Make-A-Wish® Australia simply inspires me. I truly believe that there are few things more rewarding in life than helping other people achieve or experience something that they wish for/dream of.
I remember watching a video that Make-A-Wish® Australia shared about a little boy named Archie who wished to be an Australian cricket captain. It brought me to tears and I felt so happy watching him achieve his wish. I knew immediately after watching that video, they were going to be the charity that I would support.
I thought there could not possibly be a charity that will feel more special to me than Make-A-Wish® Australia, because through me chasing my dream and doing what I love; running and helping others, I will make the wishes of sick children come true.
When Make-A-Wish® Australia help a child achieve their life-changing wish, they show the child and their family that the impossible is possible. They help the kids believe that they can do anything they set their mind to. This is what my run is all about.
I have always thought, if you have the ability to help someone, then you should give it them. I’m excited to push my body and mind running around Australia, to bring a life-changing wish to children and their families.
