Camp Quality
Camp Quality’s Big Walk for Little Kids is the latest fundraising challenge seeing Australians lacing up their trainers across the country.
Will you join in the fun?
This year, the stakes are the highest they have ever been, with 9,100 kids impacted by a cancer diagnosis registered for Camp Quality’s programs and services. The Big Walk for Little Kids starts on September 1, and runs throughout the whole month. You can choose to walk 25km, 50km or 100km, OR a target of your own choice, for kids impacted by cancer, and their families. Funds raised go directly to Camp Quality – to bring positivity, fun and laughter back into the lives of kids facing cancer. Go to bigwalk.org.au to sign up today!
The impact of Big Walk
When 5-year-old Grace was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in November 2020, Camp Quality was by her side. Grace was taken straight into hospital for a lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspiration and the start of chemotherapy. It was a stressful time for the whole family as they embarked on a long road; medically, emotionally, and financially.
Camp Quality provided Grace and her family with much-needed breaks from hospital and treatment, as well as a community that understood what they were going through.
Last year, brave little Grace and her family decided they were up for the Big Walk challenge. Despite Grace’s diagnosis, the family was so thankful for Camp Quality’s continued support, they committed to walking 200kms.
As Grace’s dad, Troy, says: “With such resilience and determination, Grace is ready for anything cancer throws at her. Her strength is what keeps us all going and staying positive.”
The help they received from the Camp Quality community was also inspiring; not only did the family raise almost $6,000 themselves, they had 116 people join “team Grace”, with the team fundraising total bringing in more than $102,000.
Grace and her dad Troy thank everyone for their support
Grace and her family will join the walking challenge again this year. You can join #TeamGrace here!
The runaway success of Big Walk
Camp Quality CEO, Deborah Thomas, says she believes the Big Walk brings out the best in people.
“The Big Walk for Little Kids has become a core revenue raiser for Camp Quality and so much more. It has also become a way to inspire people to be more active as well as build a community whereby fundraisers can connect directly with other participants and Camp Quality families.
“The story of Grace was a major inspiration last year and it was heartening to see everyone get behind her family and join their incredible team. There is also a Big Walk for Little Kids Facebook Group, which each year inspires us with an abundance of community spirit, with everyone helping everyone else achieve their goals.”
Roxy’s story
Despite still undergoing maintenance chemotherapy for a leukaemia diagnosis, five-year-old Roxy isn’t letting that stop her from walking 100km with her family in Big Walk for Little Kids this year.
Roxy was diagnosed with leukaemia in August 2021, and immediately started blood transfusions and bone marrow aspirations. Courageous Roxy also endured seven months of heavy chemotherapy before being reduced to a maintenance dose.
Her mum, Rebecca, says Roxy and her siblings, Talon and Kirra, are taking on the challenge together for Camp Quality as it’s a charity that’s close to their hearts.
“Roxy was always a go-getter, and even through chemo, she just has this attitude of getting on with it,” explains Rebecca. “It was a different story when Roxy returned to school. Her long, beautiful hair had all fallen out because of treatment, and the kids at school didn’t understand and Roxy felt alone.
“Camp Quality’s Cancer Education Program visited Roxy’s school to give some much-needed cancer education, and showed how to be a supportive friend. Roxy is now doing so well in kindy, with wonderful support from her teacher, classmates and all her friends.”
Roxy when the Cancer Education Program came to her school
On Roxy’s determination to take on the Big Walk, Rebeca says, “Roxy wants to show that kids with cancer can still do normal things and raise money for a charity that does so much for her, and kids like her.”
It’s not too late to join. Everyone can walk BIG this September for little kids facing cancer – just like Grace and Roxy. Visit bigwalk.org.au.
