MS Walk 2022

 Last Sunday of May, as usual, Australian MS Society organised MS Walk - a beautiful walk (or run) around Albert Lake.
I joined this action some dozen years ago...

So last Sunday..
No, I did not feel fit for it.

Doesn't matter but more important issue was fundraising.
In my best years  managed to raise over $1,000.
During last 2 years, due to Covid there was no event in Albert Park so my fundraising relied on my own contribution plus donations from 3 close friends.
Last year 2 of them died.

So?
I felt shy to advertise my action in wider circle of friends as I am aware that many of them are involved in help to people of Ukraine.

And then an opportunity came... from a BANK.

We had a small fixed term deposit.
Few days before the maturity date a notification came to check options available otherwise deposit will be reinvested on the current terms.
I tried to check, but each time I was getting message - check closer to maturity date.
Day before maturity it was the same.
On the maturity date I got notification that term deposit has been reinvested on previous terms.
Still I tried to see what were the options before that.
This time the button worked, it displayed a message - this deposit cannot be managed online, please visit the nearest branch.

I visited, but it really did not matter, you know what interest rates our banks are offering.
But what about my frustration and wasted time?

The bank was quite conciliatory, we agreed on $100.
I added few bucks and here we are...

Here is a confirmation of my last effort...

MS Walk 2020

 It was supposed to be the 10th time, on 1st Sunday of June.

Supposed?
I registered at the earliest date, but in March came days of uncertainty and finally decision - the walk has been postponed till some unknown date :(

For long months it looked as postponed forever and finally a decision - do it your own way - on Sunday -18 October.

My own way?
It had to be not far from home so the choice was simple - walk a bit longer than one hour in Wattle Park.
And what about majestic Albert Lake and black swans?

Well, there is a creek or two and a bit of a pond, and ducks - it should do.

The day was a bit hazy.
I took my nordic walking poles and started walk from home.
I reached a completely overgrown pond...

No ducks, only frogs croaking.

Still I remember ducks here, they were very civilized ducks, I am sure they would not abandon a place without leaving a note.

I was right...

Just 200m east - Gardiner Creek...

My first concern was quality of water - was it used before for hands washing?

Anyway, I am used to hardships and restrictions, additionally I was encouraged by a single duck - just look carefully, it is there.

So I walked joyfully powered by memories from old days and hopes, that next year I will do it in Albert Park, and black swans will be there...

Due to uncertainty I did not make much noise about this walk, so I declared a quite modest fundraising target - $199. And I exceeded it by a dozen!

Thank you very much my sponsors.

To see my memories from previous years - click a multiple sclerosis label under this entry.

First Sunday of June

Means - MS Walk - already for the ninth time.

MS - Multiple Sclerosis - a terrible disease attacking mainly young women.

This year the event looked as withdrawn a bit - I easily found a space in the car park, there were not so many people as usual, the rest was fine.

Albert Lake...

Start... looks like I am getting smaller and smaller

But on the other hand looks like medical procedures of last year helped. I did not notice when we made a full circle around the lake.

Few steps more and we reached the end

My companion was, like in many previous years, Gudrun, my friend from skiing club - thank you Gudrun for constant support.

Looking around I found that, despite not so many people at the start, financial result of the event was quite satisfactory

Together with similar walks in Sydney and Canberra, MS Society gained over $1 mln.

And then the sun shone

I left Albert Lake to its traditional owners

My personal input: I received donations of over $400 - thank you very much all supporters. It makes close to $6,000 in these 9 years.

Beware, I will be there in 2020.

My fundraising page HERE.

First Sunday of June

Means for me Multiple Sclerosis Walk.

This year I did it for the eighth time.
Better stop writing here, let's the pictures talk...

The weather

The crowd

Start...

and then just enjoy...

At the finish line with my friend from skiing fields, who supports me in this walk for many years.

The donations side also looks good, almost reached my target - $440 collected.
Thank you my supporters.

Seven years itch

If it was a first Sunday of June, and it was, then I participated in MS Walk.
For a seventh year  - thus the title.
This time the weather was the best possible.

As for walk there is not much to say - just easy stroll in beautiful surrounding.
Instead of words I will use photos...

As usual large colourful crowd...

Approaching start

Eastward view of Albert Lake

Friendly volunteers.

Westward view of Albert Lake

Some characters.

My companion from a ski club

End of fun.

To be continued next year.

PS. The only negative was a failure of my fundraising efforts. I set my target extremely low, just $450 and reached barely 70% of it. I understand that people are worn out by constant appeals for help from various sources. Apparently I am less and less attractive source.

MS Walk 2016 - done

From inside the car it looked sad...


... outside it looked beautiful...

In the assembly area it looked colourful...

There was a distance to walk....

START!

After few steps...

Keep walking...

At the furthest point of the walk...

Way back...

Some homes lost their heads...

In the finish gate...

Most colourful team

Some done it harder way...

... and harder way...

... and then there was peace and quiet...

I collected $747 - thank you my supporters!