Olivia leads the biggest ever Wellness Walk and Research Run!
Thousands of supporters formed a community of hope and love at Sunday’s Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre (ONJ Centre) Wellness Walk and Research Run at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia.
After a dismal day of weather on Saturday, the sun emerged on Sunday morning and shone down on 4,000 walkers, runners, family, friends and pooches as they took on the 5 or 10km run or the 5km walk. With participant numbers up by over 50 per cent from last year, the beautiful grounds at La Trobe University were filled with a vibe of family, community, love and hope.
Olivia Newton-John was an enthusiastic participant enjoying the sunshine, along with her husband John Easterling, her niece Tottie Goldsmith (herself an ONJ Centre Goodwill Champion) and other family members. She was grateful for the large crowd of people who were there to support her ONJ Centre.
“It’s very moving actually, to see so many people turn out,” says Olivia. “It looks like there are more people than last year which is fantastic, people with their dogs and their children and their friends. It’s wonderful.”
“This event means positivity and raising funds so we can continue with our wonderful research and wellness programs at the ONJ Centre, and it shows more and more people are becoming aware of how important it is, especially to this community and all of Melbourne. It’s a thrill, actually, it really is very wonderful.”
Many people enjoyed the event village after their walk or run, visiting researchers at the Research marquee, learning about wellness programs at the Wellness marquee, eating from one of the many food trucks, enjoying a sausage from the Rotary Club of Heidelberg, bouncing in the jumping castle (OK, kids only) and listening to the entertainment on the main stage.
Well over half a million dollars has been raised so far and while the event itself is over for this year, fundraising is still open until the 30 September.
You can continue to support family and friends by donating to their page, or you can donate to Olivia’s page here