TWO YOUNG sisters from Leongatha have been drumming up sponsorships and raising money to support autistic people and their families, through the Walk for Autism.
Nine-year-old Charlotte and seven-year-old sister Georgia, will walk at least 7,000 steps a day, every day, this May, together with over 6,000 others to help raise money for Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia).
It’s the second year the girls are doing the walk with their family, and last year raised almost $1600 for the cause.
“They wanted to raise more money this year, and they came up with the idea that they wanted to have a raffle to help with their fundraising,” explained the girls Mum, Jessica Fry.
The determined duo set off on a school free day a few weeks ago, walking the streets of Leongatha, with flyers they'd made up, asking people in shops and businesses if they would donate.
A huge number of businesses hopped on board, and the sisters ended up with a total of six prizes and six hampers to raffle off; and at the last count, had raised almost $1000 and sold nearly $300 in raffle tickets.
“We do the walk because Charlotte, my nine-year-old, is autistic, and it's been kind of instrumental in her understanding and being proud of the fact that she's autistic,” said Jessica.
When Charlotte was asked why she wanted to do the Walk for Autism, she said,
“I want to help other kids like me.”
And her sister Georgia said,
“I'm doing it for my sister, because I love my sister.”
Every day in May, Charlotte and Georgia will be grabbing their pedometers, their Walk for Autism t- shirts, their dog and their parents and walking to make sure they hit their 7,000-step target, just so they can help others out.
“It's a really worthwhile cause and there's so many autistic kids in our community; and my girls, I guess, are trying to show people that it's okay to be different and embrace it,” said Jessica, who added they are grateful for the generosity of the community.
“People have been so kind and caring; and you know there's kind people out there, but it kind of restores your faith that there is good out there. It's been overwhelming how supportive people have been of the girls."
Raffle tickets will be available at the Leongatha Rail Trail Market on Easter Sunday from the family and at Kelly's Bakery Cafe on Easter Monday, and the draw will follow.
To donate to Charlotte and Georgia in their Walk for Autism, go to: Walk for Autism - Jessica Fry.
