Sunday 21st March 2010 - 9am - 1pm

Walk to the Beaches for Love Hope Strength

Manly & Newcastle

Click to download registration form & info pack

You have the opportunity to participate in Love Hope Strength Foundation Australia’s latest events - two coastal walks to show support for those touched by cancer, and raise money for the grass roots needs of public hospital cancer patients in NSW.

On Sunday 21st March 2010 we will follow the well known and spectacular Spit Bridge to Manly scenic walk, led by veteran of LHS treks to Everest Base Camp, Machu Picchu & Mount Kilimanjaro, Matt Adam-Smith. Accompanied as always by some music to help us along, we will walk the well beaten path and gather near Manly Wharf for a few songs by lunchtime.

On a Sunday in May or June (date TBC), the focus shifts to Newcastle for the walk along Newcastle Beach, led by local musician and rocker Brien McVernon, another LHS veteran from the Peru Rocks and Kilimanjaro Rocks treks, who will again provide motivation via music for the journey.

Our symbolic gesture as we walk will be to honour and support those we know and love who have been touched by cancer by carrying their names on prayer flags with us. These flags have become symbols of LHS worldwide, and have been carried on recent LHS journeys including to Pikes Peak in Colorado, The Rocky Stairs in Philadelphia and to the top of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The flags are then sent on to Mount Everest where they will fly forever.

We are seeking to raise funds through these events to support transport services for cancer patients in Greater Sydney. Currently the NELUNE Foundation provides 3 patient transport vehicles in NSW to assist public hospital patients in attending their hospital and treatment appointments. For many patients in the public hospital system the costs of arranging transport to and from their treatment location may be considerable, and imagine using a bus, train or combination to get home after a session of chemotherapy. These vehicles provide a door to door service and assistance to allow patients to travel in not only a convenient manner but also with dignity and privacy. Amazingly, the toll costs for each vehicle add up to around $5,000 per annum.

Love Hope Strength Australia is seeking to raise funds to support the toll costs for 2 vehicles for the next 12 months, with a target of at least $5,000 per coastal walk.

Each participant will be provided with a roll of 25 prayer flags which can be “sold” for $5 each and dedicated to an individual or group who has been touched by cancer and then carried on our walk. We therefore ask for a minimum contribution of $125 per adult participant (either as a lump sum donation or by prayer flag “sales”). It’s a family event and so to encourage this there is no minimum fundraising amount for kids, although kids can also “sell” prayer flags at their schools if they wish.

To register your interest in one or both walks, please email Sharon Sale at ssale@grantthornton.com.au.

If you are unable to participate but wish to donate, please email Sharon for donation options (cash, cheque, EFT or credit card via Paypal).

More information on the Love Hope Strength Foundation worldwide can be found at www.lovehopestrength.org

More information on the NELUNE Foundation can be found at www.thenelunefoundation.org

A note on prayer flags:

Why prayer flags? Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to ‘gods,’ a common misconception, rather the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all. By hanging flags in high places the “Wind Horse” will carry the blessings depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the flags, which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is purified and sanctified by the Mantras.

Thanks for your support!

Love Hope Strength Foundation Australia
ABN 65 177 462 650
Charitable Fundraising Authority CFN/20351 under the Charitable Fundraising Act, 1991 (NSW)