Tackling the Great Wall for charity
A foot injury may have foiled their plans to tackle the City2Surf, but Irish expats Rosie Joyce and Shelly McElroy are gearing up for a five-day charity trek across the Great Wall of China.
After months of fundraising, the pair collected $13,000 to trek 100 kilometres across the Great Wall for Variety – The Children’s Charity. Variety is a non-profit organisation that aims to support the medical and life needs of sick, special needs or disadvantaged children in Australia.
“It’s certainly been a challenge, not just physically but emotionally,” says Ms Joyce. “There was a time when we were half way to our target and running out of ideas and resources but we pulled together as a team and got there.”
Having lived and worked in Bondi for the past two years, the twenty-something duo confess to suffering occasional bouts of itchy feet.
“We wanted to do something challenging, inspiring, and productive and increase our fitness levels at the same time – the Trek combines all of these elements,” says Ms McElroy.
Despite holding down full-time jobs, their fundraising efforts have included everything from seeking online donations to hosting benefits and traditional Irish gatherings in their spare time.
“We can be quite selfish at times in our busy lives and forget that just by giving a little of our time we can help someone else. Fundraising can also be a great excuse to get all your friends together for a selfless cause.”
Australian model Amanda Hinchcliffe hosted their final trivia night at the Bavarian Bier Cafe, saying she was inspired by their “true dedication” to the cause.
Ms Hinchcliffe, along with Australian cricketer Nathan Bracken and radio personality Sami Lukis, are supporters of Variety.
“These ladies have the willingness to give with nothing in return and I really admire them for that,” she says. “Their trivia night has really shown me how people go about getting involved and contributing to a great cause.”
The ladies are set to travel to China on September 18. For more information about the challenge, go to www.varietynsw.org.au.
– By Sheenal Singh
