Beaconsfield CFA volunteers Rebecca Mouy and Amie Oliver dust off their walking shoes in preparation for the Oxfam 100km Trailwalker. By Sarah Schwager
COMPETITION between two local fire stations will see money raised for Oxfam Community Aid Abroad in a battle to finish first in a 48hour charity walk.
Teams of four CFA volunteers from the Beaconsfield and Upper Beaconsfield fire stations are pacing it out as they busy themselves fundraising and preparing for the Oxfam Trailwalker.
Beaconsfield CFA volunteer Rebecca Mouy said while the neighbouring brigades were good friends, they were promoting competitiveness between the two towns to help raise money for a good cause.
“And to be honest, I would love to beat them,” she said.
Upper Beaconsfield CFA Brigade support officer Paul Little said their ‘Code One’ team of Marianne Sawyer, James Bradley, Stephen Malins and Pauline Gray was busy training, including long walks, to get in shape.
“The brigades work well together. But there’s a bit of rivalry between us now,” Mr Little said.
Ms Mouy said her allgirl’s team ‘Fabulous Four’ – Ms Muoy, Amie Oliver, Janny McDonald and Sally Neenan – hoped to beat their rival team and outdo them raising funds for the walk.
She said they had nominated 30 hours to complete the distance of 100 kilometres.
The Oxfam Trailwalker runs from 7 to 9 April.
Besides getting all four team members across the line, the teams must raise a minimum of $1000 for Oxfam Australia. The trail begins at Jells Park in Wheelers Hill and passes through the Dandenong Ranges, along the Warburton Trail and finishes on the summit of Mt Donna Buang. Money raised from the event, held in both Melbourne and Sydney, will assist Oxfam in responding to emergencies internationally and working with communities to overcome poverty.
More than 3400 people are expected to participate in this year’s events.
Businesses and residents wishing to make donations to either teams should contact Paul Little on 0419 879 216.
