A GREAT physical challenge awaits Newborough resident Bianca Poxon when she walks along one of the world’s wonders to raise money for a charity close to her heart.
The mum-of-two is taking part in Steps Towards A Cure – Great Wall Trek event in May next year to raise funds to help the National Breast Cancer Foundation carry out its research.
With research to thank for two of her relatives’ survival, Ms Poxon jumped at the chance to support the foundation by walking six to eight hours a day for five days across the Great Wall of China.
“My mum is nearing five years’ breast cancer-free and my grandmother had breast cancer twice in 20 years,” she said.
“When my grandmother was diagnosed I thought of it just as something that comes with ageing, but when my mum was diagnosed… I thought she was going to die.
“I didn’t realise that the treatments are so good.”
To reach her goal of $10,000 Ms Poxon will hold a variety of fundraising events, starting with a Pink Ribbon Breakfast on 27 October at Turfside Function Centre from 9am.
“That’s the biggest event by far, with 250 tickets available. I’ll also hold a shopping tour in Melbourne on 16 November, perfect time for Christmas shopping and a masquerade ball sometime in February,” she said.
“I’ll also be doing some smaller things; cake stalls, barbecues, selling pink ribbon merchandise and my sister and her friends are knitting scarves.”
Despite being a swimming instructor at Latrobe Leisure, Ms Poxon said she was not a fit person and was training hard in preparation for the exhausting journey.
“I’ve changed my diet and I’m swimming to build up stamina and walking eight to 10 kilometres with a backpack on hilly terrain to get used to what the great wall is going to be like,” she said.
“I’ll be walking with people who have just gone through treatment, so that will be inspiring. I think I’ll be overwhelmed by the whole experience.
“I’m definitely nervous, but excited. It will be amazing I’m sure.”
Ms Poxon said she was more than half way to raising the $3300 minimum to take part in the trek.
