Starting conversations to end domestic and family violence will be the aim when dozens of locals don their blue shirts and do the Run Against Violence Virtual Team Challenge.
From 30 August to 17 September, about 30 locals will run or walk at their own pace for the cause and register their kilometres on the event website.
In Beaudesert and around the world, teams of up to 20 people will walk or run up to 1300km – the equivalent distance from Broken Hill to Sydney.
Their entry fees will go to the National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect, including the Love Bites respectful relationships program for people aged 11 to 17.
Beaudesert’s two teams will be led by Mandy Willis and Shelly Currie and Melissa Frazer.
Team ‘Go Go Girls Plus Zac and Aaron’ includes Shelly and Melissa plus Julie Ferguson, Kylie Parker, Lana Johnson, Shayne Probert, Karen Gillow. Tricia Mevissen, Jodie O’Halloran, Kylie Lewis, Felicity Clark, Zac Cunningham and Aaron Collis.
Team ‘Run, Walk, Repeat’ includes Mandy, Tracy Craven, Natalie Ford, Jodi and Bianca Eizenberg, Di Mylett, Katherine Iselin, Rachel and Mandy Payne, Alisha Richardson, Anna Vinson, Donna Wendt, Lauren Wood, Linda Henry, Michelle Petterson and Rebecca Rees.
When Shelly participated in last year’s virtual challenge, she particularly reflected on her friend, the late Doreen Langham, who was murdered by her ex-partner in February 2021.
Shelly said it was important to keep the conversation going.
“For the next generation we need to break the cycle – monkey see, monkey do,” she said.
Melissa said it was about ending the silence.
“If it’s spoken about it might hopefully encourage people to know it’s okay to speak up if they’re in that situation,” she said.
