By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
MEMBERS of the Narre Warren North Girl Guides walked all across Casey last month for a very special cause.
The girl guides took part in the Walk in Her Shoes Challenge from 16 to 22 March. In all they walked 350 kilometres in a week to raise money for CARE Australia to help women and girls in developing countries.
Unit leader Elizabeth Anning said she and the group had wanted to “do something different” for this years’ service project, and stories of women struggling in developing countries – such as Cambodia, Malawi and Zimbabwe – struck a chord with the young girls, aged five to 10.
“I think we’re so lucky in Australia that we have access to everything we need, those communities out there don’t have that,” Ms Anning said.
“They don’t have accessible drinking water, they don’t have food, and some don’t even have medical facilities close by.
“There was one story on the website I read to the girls where people had to walk 12 kilometres just to get medical treatment. Everyone should have access to those facilities, regardless of where they live.”
Ms Anning said each member of the Narre Warren North Girl Guides had begun walking extra distances each week to prepare themselves for the 350-kilometre challenge.
“Walking is something we do every day, but now we all have a great purpose for each step,” she said.
Ms Anning believed the Narre Warren North Girl Guides had so far raised close to $1000 for the cause.
For more information, visit www.walkinhershoes.org.au.
