Inspirational ultra-marathon runner Kirrily Dear is preparing to step out for children who have been the victims of family violence.
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Kirrily will set out on a 19 day journey from Broken Hill to Sydney in September, passing through Canowindra on the way.
In November 2014 she ran from Walgett to Forbes in support of White Ribbon Day to raise awareness and help put an end to violence against women.
After the 2014 run she helped establish Run Against Violence.
“It took another 12 months to decide to do the Broken Hill to Sydney run,” Kirrily said.
“I’m going to run from Broken Hill to Sydney, 1300kms over 19 days to give a voice to children who have experienced family violence.
“The children are often overlooked in the discussion, they are the silent victims.
“Our intent is to give them a voice, to help them be heard within the community.”
Starting in Broken Hill on August 30 StepsTogether will arrive in Canowindra on September 10.
People can get involved by jumping on the Run Against Violence facebook page.
“We’re also doing a virtual challenge in connection with the run.
“People can race me across the 1300km course, they can get a group of up to 10 friends together and over the 19 days walk, run and accumulate those kilometres.
Teams from across the world are currently expressing an interest in taking part and Kirrily is hopeful teams from Canowindra will also get involved.
“Our aim is to get everyone together and to engage in family violence prevention,” Kirrily said.
Starting in Broken Hill on August 30 Kirrily will make her way to Sunset Strip, Ivanhoe, Mossgiel, Hillston, Condobolin and Bogan Gate before arriving in Canowindra on September 10.
From Canowindra Kirrily and her team will be heading to Orange, Blayney, Bathurst, Oberon, the 6 foot track to Katoomba, Penrith, Gladesville and finally the Sydney Opera House on September 17.
Canowindra residents can get involved in the run through the Run Against Violence facebook page but Kirrily hopes they’ll also take up a virtual challenge.
“We’re also doing a virtual challenge in connection with the run,” Kirrily said.
“People can race me across the 1300km course, they can get a group of up to 10 friends together and over the 19 days walk, run and accumulate those kilometres.
Teams from across the world are currently expressing an interest and Kirrily is hopeful teams from Forbes will get involved. Locals are also welcome to get out on the day she arrives and departs to run with Kirrily.
“Our aim is to get everyone together and to engage in family violence prevention,” Kirrily said.
Kirrily started running when she was 36 and fell in love with it, eventually joining a running club and 14 months later completed her first 100km race.
She is passionate about doing something to stop domestic violence and so decided to run for the cause.
To show your support for Kirrily, make a donation to her cause go to runningagainstviolence.com or the group’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/runagainstviolence
Hear Kirrily talk about StepsTogether on the Canowindra News website www.canowindranews.com.au
