Fundraiser - Sunday, September 10 at 10:00am at Footscray Park and along the Maribyrnong River

Yarraville’s Wembley Primary School students are walking to help rebuild the lives of children from Yogyakarta district, central Java, Indonesia who were left homeless and without schools following the massive earthquake in May.

The children of Wembley Primary School, Yarraville and the Melbourne Network of Schools, are holding the Walk to Rebuild fundraiser on September 10 at 10:00am at Footscray Park walking 10kms (or 5kms for younger children) along the Maribyrnong River.

All funds raised by the Walk will be donated to Plan, which provided emergency relief in the aftermath of the earthquake, and continues to work to provide learning materials (school kits), set up temporary classrooms and Early Childhood Care and Development Centres – all are projects that ensure children enjoy a child friendly, healthy and safe school environment.

On May 27, 2006, Java was hit by an earthquake which killed more than 5,800 people and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless.  At the same time, children aged 8 years and 9 years from Wembley Primary School were learning about natural and man-made disasters. 

Walk to Rebuild organiser Sophie Trpcevski says as the terrible aftermath of the earthquake began to unfold, the students learnt about the many hardships facing the victims of the earthquake, especially the children.  “They wanted to help and decided to hold the Walk as a fundraiser to help rebuild the lives of the Javanese children whose homes and schools had been destroyed or damaged,” Ms Trpcevski says. “The students have been involved in the whole process of organising this important fundraising event,” she added.

Plan in Australia national executive director Ian Wishart says the efforts of the students in organising such an event that benefits children affected by the earthquake in Java, is fantastic. “This is a true example of Australian children taking action to make a difference.”

Bring your family and friends for this fun walk along the banks of the beautiful Maribyrnong River starting at Footscray Park and help Plan make a difference for the children affected by the Java earthquake.

Free shuttle bus from Footscray Railway Station or limited free parking from 10am to 2pm. A free sausage sizzle provided after the walk. Registration and payment are preferred before the event but can be made on the day. Dogs are not allowed on the course.

                                                                                                                                                   

When:	Sunday, September 10 at 10:00am (registration 9:15am to 9:50am)
Where:	Start and finish is at the front of the stage, Footscray Park. Melway Ref: 2SJ4
Registration Fee:	Adult $15, Child $15, Family $39 (2 x adults, 2 x children over 5)

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Tim Cansfield-Smith - Media & Comms Manager, Plan.
0411 642 194

Sophie Trpcevski - Wembley Primary School.
0412 016 1066 106