14 December 2008
Spirit of Tasmania is a proud
sponsor of Deborah De Williams, the first solo female to run around
Australia with her six year old Border Collie Maggie, in an attempt
to raise $300,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Her
goal is to raise awareness for the disease which claims the lives
of 3,500 Australian's a year.
"Running Pink" is the name of Deborah's charity trek where she
will attempt to cover 20,000kms, 25 million steps, completing a lap
around Australia in 365 days. That equates to 55kms a day!
Deborah's run started in Hobart on the 25th of October 2008 and
will finish in Hobart on the 24th of October 2009.
With Tasmania already completed, Mrs De Williams arrived in
Melbourne early this morning, running out of the Spirit of Tasmania
and down the sky bridge with her dog and pink caravan convoy in
tow. The "Cancer Convoy" will be the mobile home for Deborah and
her support crew comprising of two cars and caravans. Deborah will
finish the Victorian leg of her journey in Mallacoota this
Christmas Eve.
"I am a survivor and I am just doing my bit to help other
Australia women survive breast cancer.
"We need to stop losing our mothers, daughters, nieces, sisters,
friends, wives, lovers and women to breast cancer, that's why I am
putting my best foot forward to help find a cure and a prevention
to this disease," said Mrs De Williams.
This inspiring 39 year old woman has walked around Australia
(2004), battled breast cancer (2006), run around Tasmania (2007)
only 6 weeks after finishing 6 months of chemotherapy and
radiotherapy and has clocked up more than 60,000kms on the
road.
Deborah De Williams has raised over $150,000 for the Kids Help
line in 2004 and over $25,000 for Camp Quality in 2007.
Spirit of Tasmania strongly supports Deborah De Williams on her
journey as she is an inspirational woman with a truly amazing
spirit!
-ends-
For further information contact:
Soniya Fernandez
Corporate Communications Coordinator
Spirit of Tasmania
Email: saf@spiritoftasmania.com.au
