Richmond’s preferred charity partner, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, will scale new heights this year.
Twenty years after the Port Arthur tragedy, a group of trekkers will walk and cycle through the Cambodian countryside – between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh – to raise $100,000 for the foundation.
Between November 6 and 17, up to 20 people will embark on a 250km journey around the Southeast Asian nation to help the foundation further many of its important programs that protect children from violence and bullying. Richmond established a partnership with the foundation in 2012, which has helped more than 1.5 million children since it was founded in 1997.
The Keep Children Safe Cambodia Challenge has been initiated by Sue Vittori, who was media and marketing manager at Port Arthur Historic Site in Tasmania during the horrific tragedy in April 1996. Tragically, 35 people were killed, including Alannah and Madeline Mikac and their mother Nanette.
Alannah and Madeline’s father and founding patron, Walter Mikac, and foundation ambassador, Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico, will join Mrs Vittori on the trip, which is also being run in the lead up to the foundation’s 20 year celebrations in April 2017.
Mr Mikac said that while some parts of the trek may be physically challenging, completing it and raising much-needed money for the foundation was all the incentive he needed.
“I can’t wait, it’s going to be an amazing experience and I invite other Australian parents to sign up and join me in cycling among Cambodia’s beautiful villages and ancient temples,” Mr Mikac said.
“I’m so proud of what we have achieved at The Alannah and Madeline Foundation during the past 19 years and fundraising initiatives like this really do help us make a difference.”
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation CEO, Dr Judith Slocombe, said the Cambodia Challenge not only supported the foundation, it also provided amazing life experiences for participants.
“Money raised goes to our programs, which focus on protecting children across care, prevention and advocacy platforms,” Dr Slocombe said. “The Cambodia trip will help us to continue developing these programs so that we can change the lives of more and more children.”
Mrs Vittori said she is continually amazed at how passionate the public is about the foundation and its work, with more than $36,000 already raised towards the $100,000 target.
“My experiences at Port Arthur on that day and in the months following have had a profound impact on my life,” Mrs Vittori said.
“I’ve come to recognise the psychological power of milestone anniversaries and was determined to find a way to transform this one into a positive, life-affirming experience. I hope even more people will register and join us on what will be an incredible journey this November.”
There are still places available on the Cambodia Challenge tour, which is being run through Inspired Adventures.
Anyone interested can register at: https://inspiredadventures.com.au/events/amf-cambodia-2016/
To donate to those already participating go to: https://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/amfcambodia2016
