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Brenton's walk for a more beautiful world

Tuesday 25 May, 2021

 

Brenton walking

When Brenton went for the first walk of his fundraising challenge, he had to stop six times to rest.

But it didn’t stop him from wanting to keep making a difference. The next day he was out walking again, meeting his commitment to walk 1km each day throughout the month of April.

The 34-year-old, who has a disability, had been looking for a way to get active more often, so he decided to make his exercise much more meaningful by setting himself a challenge – and a whopping fundraising goal of $5000.

Brenton’s motivation came from having seen the effects of cancer when he was a child.

“I wanted to do a good thing because my Nana died of cancer,” Brenton said.

His Aunty Sandra has also faced breast cancer more recently, though she is fortunately coming up to her five-year mark of being cancer-free. These experiences have made helping people affected by cancer a cause close to Brenton’s heart.

Brenton’s passion helped him stay committed through his active challenge. He walked each day with members of his therapy team, who assist him with his disability, around the block near his home in Heidelberg.

Brenton’s fundraising rose as he racked up the kilometres, and before his challenge had finished, he had raised more than $5000 from well over 100 kind supporters – an incredible effort.

Brenton with his Aunt Sandra and Uncle Dennis, with a mosaic he made them for their 45th wedding anniversary

And it wasn’t just his fundraising that was impressive.

“I stopped lots of times on my first walk, [but the] last time only stopped one time,” Brenton said.

Karen, a member of his therapy team, said Brenton wasn’t the only one impressed with his efforts.

“We’re all really proud of Brenton and how well he did,” Karen said. “All of his supporters really helped out and his family were all behind him, so it was really good. We’re really proud of him and how well it all went.”

When he’s not walking, Brenton also enjoys doing music and making mosaic art, and he used his creativity to come up with a great way of connecting with his supporters.

“I was posting video updates so people could see how hard I’m working,” Brenton said, adding that he posted videos every few days to show people his walks, update them on his fundraising efforts and thank all those who had given to his cause.

Having done such a successful job of raising funds, Brenton’s hoping it can do a lot to help people who need it.

“I want to help cancer research, and I’m hoping it will be used for a special cancer nurse to come to people’s homes [during their treatment], and that’s beautiful,” Brenton said.

“Go cancer research!”

He also hopes the funds can help provide short holidays to people who are receiving treatment, so they can spend some time away with their family.

With his walking challenge over, Brenton can now take a well-deserved rest, but that doesn’t mean he won’t make more of an impact in the future. In fact, he’s already thinking ahead to his next fundraising effort: throwing “a special morning tea” to take part in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.

But for now, Brenton is satisfied with the wonderful things he’s achieved so far.

“My walking challenge was really good! I feel fantastic – and proud!

“Thank you everybody for supporting me and raising money for cancer. Go fight cancer!”

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