Matthew Reid with local school students | Image: Justine Blackley

Matthew’s Journey

On Jul 27, 2021

As Silverdale’s Matthew Reid prepares for his epic trek from Glenmore Park to Canberra for the Walk for Terry Fox Charity Fundraiser next month, the inspirational local has just reached an amazing milestone of raising $20,000 for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

He is striving to reach his ultimate goal of $40,000 raised by the time he sets out for the charity walk on Monday 6th September. Matthew will be starting from Glenmore Park High School, with the walk taking 10 days to complete, finishing at the High Commission of Canada in Canberra, and covering just under 300 kms.

“So far, we have raised $20,038 which is slightly over halfway. Our goal is to raise $40,000 for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. All donations are greatly appreciated. Even if it’s $10 or $20, it all adds up” explained Matthew to the Mulgoa Valley Gazette.

Matthew has organised two Walk for Terry Fox charity events at local schools this year. The first was at Mulgoa Public School on 7th May which saw the local school become the first school in Australia to participate in a walk to support Walk for Terry Fox. The second was Glenmore Park High School on 16th June. A third walk is planned at Warragamba Public School for this month (subject to Government COVID restrictions at the time).

A special sports luncheon was held at Wallacia Hotel with Jeff Fenech, Australian Champion Boxer the guest in May.

The event was a great success, raising over $6,000.

With only a number of weeks to go until his charity walk to Canberra, Matthew’s training schedule is in full swing in preparation for the event.

“I have been conditioning my body for the walk. I started with walking 5 days a week, for 1 hour a day during the week and 2 hours a day on the weekend. This will be increased to 7 days a week, for 2 hours a day during the week and 3 hours a day on the weekend” he stated.

To support Matthew in his quest and to help him reach $40,000, visit his fundraising page at https://www.bandagedbear.org.au/fundraisers/httpswwwfacebookcomevents379120765961877.

For more information, search ‘Walk for Terry Fox-To inspire our Kids’ on Facebook.