A community walk challenge held at Pearl Beach in early September has raised over $16,000 to help maintain the upkeep and renovations of the community’s Memorial Hall.
The three-day challenge, which started on September 3, was initially designed for individuals and specialist groups to promote awareness of heart ailments, cancer, orthopedics and general health during lockdown.
The five-kilometre course was then modified to be in-keeping with COVID-19 regulations with seven teams and over 60 participants registered to walk.
Pearl Beach Progress Association’s Publicity Officer, Lynne Lillico, said the walk had been a great success.
“The total amount raised will exceed $16,500 and is a compliment to the participants for attracting such great individual sponsorship,” Lillico said.
“A special thank you to the event ‘Ambassadors’ Bev Lapacek who raised $3,300 and Taras Mencinsky who ran the course 20 times (100km).
“A big thank you to event sponsor Coast Realty and group sponsors Personal Eyes, Brisbane Waters Private Hospital and HealtheCare and all those who sponsored a participant.
“We are very grateful for their generosity.”
After undergoing heart surgery last year Bev Lapacek walked the course with her other heart surgery friends Duncan Bridell and Carolyn Marks as the ‘Heart Beats’ team.
She said the trio had received treatment from the same cardio thoracic surgeon and credited his skill for their recovery from the major surgery.
“Last year I started having symptoms indicative of heart disease, namely an ache down my left chest and arm and sought medical advice,” she said.
“A stent was inserted, and I thought that would fix things however five months later, I learnt that other vessels were blocking and in late April underwent a Triple Bypass.
“I am still undergoing a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and walking longer distances each week.
“My Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon at Brisbane Waters Private Hospital has committed to sponsoring me.”
Taras Mencinsky said it was her love of running that inspired her to complete the course 20 times over.
“I have run all my life but only started running longer distances once my children were getting older and I was in my late 30s,” she said.
“I started with marathons and then progressed to trail marathons and ultra-marathons.
“That’s why I love living in Pearl Beach …the Brisbane Water National Park is on our doorstep, and I can run literally for a hundred kilometres or more just exploring the many tracks and fire trails within and surrounds.
“The Memorial Hall in Pearl Beach is a meeting place for the residents.
“It brings us together and reminds us of the generations past that we have to thank for what we enjoy now, and it is our responsibility to ensure it is here for future generations.”
Source:
Media release, Sep 8
Pearl Beach Progress Association