The annual juggernaut fundraiser raises money for Community Living and Respite Services’ Opening Doors Project.
It is an initiative which has already helped disabled people live independently with aspirations to buy another home and two units in Moama, to help even more people.
I am no expert in this field but I have lived with my uncle, who is disabled, for most of my teen-adult life.
He has lived with my family since my grandparents died when I was in primary school.
I have never liked the word disabled because he is definitely able. He is smarter than me, funnier than me and is better at managing his money than me.
And while he has lived relatively independently with us I can appreciate the value Opening Doors gives to people in a similar situation to him.
If given the choice he would choose to still live with my parents, that’s as independent as he would like it to get but like all people, he should have the choice to live independently or not which is why I can’t think of a better fundraiser to get behind.
It is also why I signed up to the half-marathon as part of Johnno’s Run this year.
Honestly, I’m not sure if my legs will go the distance and if they do, the time it takes to get to the finish line, will be less than impressive.
But that really isn’t the point, I must remind myself; certain the cause behind it is worth it. That’s the part 200 of us are doing it for.
This isn’t just another fundraiser because Johnno’s Run has already changed lives and it will continue to do so.
It’s why my mum has been busy cooking (shameless plug because, yes, my mum is an amazing cook and no, I am most unfortunately not) to sell sausage rolls and muffins to our team here at the Riv.
This fundraiser is well and truly off and running, it’s found its legs and it has made a genuine difference already, but it’s not too late for you to make an impact too.
So please, if you do anything today, consider giving to this charity. Or at the very least, remember the name, Johnno’s Run, because I must insist it deserves to be remembered.
Writer’s note: MMG commercial director (sales) Haydn O’Neale and agricultural reporter Sophie Baldwin will also be taking part in this year’s Johnno’s Run and their results will, in fact, be worth mentioning so if you choose to check how the Riv team went please look at their results and not mine. Thanks for understanding.
