Panky the Panda will be making a return visit to Harden next month to take part in a walk under the 'Joan's Wish' banner to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer research and awareness for Mental Health in the country and DIPG (Brain Cancer) research.
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Organiser and Founder of the 'Joan's Wish' charity, Guy Turner is keen to hold more events to raise awareness for less common illnesses.
"When I started 'Joan's Wish', it was with the idea of complete focus on Pancreatic Cancer, which is the disease that took Mum in 2016." Mr Turner said.
"But then I thought, what would Mum's wish really be? And I knew it would be to help as many people as I could."
"Mental health issues are becoming more and more common in country areas. We need to raise awareness and take away the stigma of having a mental health problem."
Mr Turner said that he had never heard of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) before he met Annabelle Potts' grandmother while organising the first 'Joan's Wish Show and Shine' last year.
"I spoke with Annabelle's parents Adam and Kathie by phone and came to understand that brain cancer is the biggest killer of children in Australia every year." Mr Turner said.
"We held a 'Lemon Face Challenge at the Show and Shine and about 80 people took part. Not bad for a first attempt, but we will do better in 2019."
"I kept thinking 'What else can we do to support families who are battling these illnesses and decided to to a 'Panky walk'.
The walk will take place on Saturday, April 27, the last weekend of the school holidays. It will start at Harden Tyres in Albury Street at 9 am for a 9.30 am startand head to The Light Horse in Murrumburrah. There will be a bus to take walkers back to their cars after a light lunch.
"We ask people to wear as much purple as possible, because that is the Pancreatic Cancer colour." Mr Turner said.
For more information, please contact Guy Turner on 0428 673 435, or go to the 'Joan's Wish' facebook page.
