Run Against Violence (RAV) have an exciting fundraising event coming up in the South East for participants to hit the ground running.
On Saturday, August 17, Lakes Rotary Mount Gambier and Run Against Violence (RAV) are joining forces to hold a Family Fun Day at the Mount Gambier Railway Lands to launch their 2024 Virtual Team Challenge.
The Family Fun Day will take place from 10am to 2pm and along with lots of free fun for the kids, there will also be community relay with batons available from 6am to 2pm.
RAV Limestone Coast team captain Belinda Seaman said participants were encouraged to come as they are, in their RAV blue or in costume.
“Carry your baton along the Railway Lands between Bay Road and Wehl Street, or carry it wherever you plan to run,” she said.
“When you return your baton, record your distance and celebrate with us.”
The Virtual Team Challenge begins on August 30, with teams of 10 to 20 people from across Australia running, walking or rolling (if this is your primary method of transport) a total of 1300km to break the silence and speak out against domestic and family violence.
All donations from the challenge go directly to the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect to help Australian teenagers access respectful relationship education in schools.
The Limestone Coast has at least eight teams registered so far and plenty of spots left for the public to join a team.
Team members can walk or run at their own pace, at their chosen time, in their favourite locations.
Each team member then logs their distances travelled into a shared website to watch their team make the “virtual” 1300km journey from Broken Hill to Sydney.
The journey recreates the inaugural run taken by Kirrily Dear in 2017, when she ran solo from Broken Hill to Sydney in 19 days.
The distance of 1300km equates to 1.7 million steps, which is the estimated number of Australians who experienced physical abuse before the age of 15.
The route links more than 25 Australian communities, from remote to metropolitan, showing that family violence impacts everyone.
Ms Seaman said the Limestone Coast has participated in every challenge since 2017 starting with two teams of 10, and growing ever since.
“Many of our inaugural team members are still participating, having never missed a year,” she said.
“Others have joined along the way and become just as addicted.
“Taking on a physical challenge as a team creates a real bond among participants.
“We bond over the physical challenges, but also over the cause. RAV share stories from survivors, industry workers, volunteers and team members to inspire and educate everyone throughout the challenge.
“Whether you walk or run, I urge you to consider taking part.
“It’s a great cause, an amazing experience, great for your health, and a great way to make friends in the community.”
Ms Seaman said the Limestone Coast RAV participants are a big team in a supportive community.
“Our vision is for RAV communities to be known as safe spaces within every community in the country, then eventually the whole community will be the RAV community,” she said.
“It’s up to us to be the change we want to see.
“So come along to the Family Fun Day, enjoy the activities and learn more about the RAV Virtual Team Challenge from the everyday champions who take part each year.
“Whether you walk, run or roll, we want you!”
