Former Collie siblings Shari Douglas and Mathew O’Brien will be continuing their efforts to raise awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis when they trek through Nepal next month.
The pair will set off for a six-day trek of the Annapurna Circuit next month, with the aim of raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia.
Ms Douglas said her family had been inspired to help raise awareness of the genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs by a childhood friend.
“Our family friend that we grew up with in Collie, Warrick Ferris, has cystic fibrosis, so we grew up knowing about that all of our life,” she said.
“It’s only through funding and awareness that they’re able to make more in-roads in helping to treat cystic fibrosis, because there is no cure for it.”
Ms Douglas and Mr O’Brien, along with their sister Nicole Forgione, previously raised more than $10,000 for the disease two years ago when they trekked the Kokoda Track to raise awareness.
Ms Douglas said while she fundraises for the disease in many different ways throughout the year, she’s hoping a big challenge like trekking in Nepal will get people thinking about the disease.
“I wanted to do something bigger to raise more money and more awareness hopefully,” she said.
“At the end of the day, we could raise and donate a lot of money straight to cystic fibrosis – which we do – but it’s really about getting people talking so that maybe the next time they see something, they’ll give money then too.”
Ms Douglas said she was excited for the challenge and had been preparing by running up and down Albany’s iconic Sandpatch Stairs each weekend.
“I’m not an athlete, I’m just an average person and a lot of people would probably be surprised that I’ve done Kokoda and I’m going to be doing Nepal,” she said.
“When something means a lot to you, you can do anything. It is a big challenge, but it’s worth it if we can raise money and awareness.”
Ms Douglas said she was hoping the Collie community would get behind the challenge.
“The Collie community is a community that comes together and likes to help out,” she said.
”We have had a lot of people from Collie donating, so that’s great and we’re hoping to see more.”
Ms Douglas said they had raised just over $3200 of their $10,000 target.
If you wish to donate, visit https://65roseschallenge.everydayhero.com/au/nepal-trek-cystic-fibrosis.