After walking 120km across the municipality, Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon completed her Mayor’s Walk for Disability on Sunday.
It was with an overwhelming feeling of emotion as Cr Stapledon walked through the gates of Myuna Farm, following the nine-day event.
Close to $30,000 was raised through the event, with all proceeds being donating to the Wolfdene Foundation’s Project 28 initiative.
Project 28 will see the construction of supported accommodation units for people in Casey who live with a disability and are still in the care of their ageing parents or carers or unsuitable accommodation such as boarding houses, motel rooms, hospital beds and aged care facilities.
The initiative will also address a current shortfall of 28,000 households Australia wide for people living with a disability and strives to achieve 28 supported accommodation units by the year 2028.
Cr Stapledon said she could not thank everyone enough who participated and donated generously.
“I would like to sincerely thank the residents of Casey, community groups and local businesses for hosting me and cheering me along the way, for your morning and afternoon teas, coffees and donations – I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Cr Stapledon said.
“While I set out to raise both funds and awareness for Project 28, it was also important to shine a spotlight on the amazing community groups we have in Casey, particularly local disability agencies.
“I believe that every person, no matter what their ability, should have the right of passage to leave home and to live in their ‘forever’ home that is safe, homely and a place to live their best life. I also believe that we should be giving comfort to their carers that when they are no longer with us, their adult child is well cared for”.
Jonathan Atchison, Director of the Wolfdene Foundation, said as a major developer of land in Casey, they saw Project 28 as a wonderful opportunity to help alleviate some of the challenges and pressure faced by local families.
“Through Project 28, we can provide somewhere for adults with a disability to live that is comfortable and supported, and close enough to their families so they can have easy and regular contact,” he said.
Throughout her campaign, Cr Stapledon met Christine Ritchie, whose 82-year-old father Anton is the main carer for her 43-year-old brother, Anthony, who has a severe intellectual disability and was also recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Cr Stapledon said these families are an example of why she is putting so much time and effort into fundraising for this cause, because, as Christine said, ‘these supported accommodation units would be an ideal outcome for Anthony and my father.’
During the nine days, Cr Stapledon visited more than 45 local community groups and walked from all ends of the city, including Lynbrook, Endeavour Hills, Tooradin and Narre Warren.
You can still donate to Project 28 (https://www.givenow.com.au/project28) or please phone the City of Casey on 9705 5200 to find out more, and to view photos from the event, head to Council’s Facebook page.
