Locals trek for vision

Southbankers Deb Leach and Jade Beninati will both trek 30km this month to help raise money and awareness for the Fred Hollows Foundation.

Both women will journey from Koonya Beach to Point Nepean on the Mornington Peninsula on May 26, as part of the Wild Women On Top Melbourne Coastrek.

The event aims to raise $1.5 million for the foundation to help end avoidable blindness in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Southbank resident Deb will trek with her team the ‘Sea Side Sight Seekers’, while local worker Jade will take on the challenge with her team ‘The J-Walkers’. Each team aims to raise at least $2000 for the foundation.

With the event only a month away when both ladies caught up with Southbank Local News, both said they were trying to squeeze in as much training as possible.

Deb said Fred Hollows and his ability to bring his vision for the world to fruition inspired everyone involved in the event.

“Sight is such a fundamental need,” she said. “Two of our members have medical backgrounds, and we wish to make a difference in the world by furthering the aims of the foundation.”

To support Deb, Jade and their teams visit melbourne.coastrek.com.au