Helen Tran doesn’t have much time to exercise. The mother of one is a full-time financial analyst who does her best to fit in a weekly walk or two.
But she’s recently decided to step up her fitness regime in preparation for a 30-kilometre walk along the Mornington Peninsula to raise money for The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Ms Tran said she was inspired to take on the challenge, later this month, after a colleague told her about the important work the foundation did to end avoidable blindness in the world’s poorest communities.
“I came from a Third World country and I understand how hard it would be for people to get the treatment,” she said.
“I just couldn’t believe that with only $25 you could save a person from blindness. This is the least I can do to help people in need.”
The Cairnlea resident will join 1900 walkers on May 26 for the Wild Women On Top Melbourne Coastrek, which will begin at Koonya Beach and finish at Point Nepean.
Organisers hope to raise more than $1.5 million for the Fred Hollows Foundation.
Foundation director Gabi Hollows said four in every five people who were blind don’t need to be.
“Everyone who takes on the Coastrek challenge is helping us to restore sight and change lives,” she said. “For every $1 invested in eliminating avoidable blindness, at least $4 is returned to the local economy, as adults can return to work and children can receive an education and fulfil their potential.”
To support Ms Tran, go to melbourne.coastrek.com.au.
Alexandra Laskie
