After a highly successful first event in 2023, local Wiggles and Giggles childcare centres are bringing back their William’s Syndrome Walkathon this weekend.
According to Charmaine Coates from Wiggles and Giggles Cranebrook, the event has a personal connection.
“The owner of our preschool, her daughter was diagnosed with William’s Syndrome when she was a baby, so we’ve always been trying to work out ways that we can encourage inclusion at our preschools and make sure that everyone, no matter their abilities, has an equal opportunity,” she said.
Their first ever William’s Syndrome Walkathon was held last year, and was a huge success.
“It was amazing. We raised over $22,000 last year at the event, either through businesses donating or on the day,” she said.
Now, they’re excited to be bringing it back.
“It’s something that we want to do every single year. We want to make sure that we’re able to keep on supporting communities,” she said.
“For us, this is something that’s really close to our hearts, but it’s also something that’s not well known to many people, so we do want to get a lot more awareness about William’s Syndrome out into the community, not only in regards to people who don’t know what William’s Syndrome is, but also letting the people who do have William’s Syndrome know that they are seen and they are heard.”
For this year’s fundraiser, Coates said they’re looking to achieve a specific goal.
“This year, we’re really trying to raise enough money to start camps,” she said.
“We really want to bring in some camps for families with William’s Syndrome so they can get together, network, and just have some support and have a nice week or weekend together.”
William’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects different parts of the body. It can lead to a range of health complicaitons.
As for the event itself, to be held at Nurragingy Reserve on Sunday, September 22, Coates said there’s lots to look forward to.
“The day will start off with the Walkathon. We’ve got quite a few people with William’s Syndrome that will be attending this year, which is really exciting. They’re going to be the ones that start the actual walk, and then we’ll be following them,” she said.
“After the walk, we’ve got a barbeque, we’ve got the giant raffle, characters like Olaf and Paw Patrol, henna tattoos, face painting, and picnic games.”
But, they’re in need of support.
“We definitely need people to make donations. The more donations we can get the better, because every single cent that’s raised goes towards William’s Syndrome,” she said.
Or, just attend on the day.
“It’s going to be a really nice event,” she said.
For more information, visit the Wiggles and Giggles Cranebrook Facebook page.
Cassidy Pearce
Cassidy Pearce is a news and entertainment journalist with The Western Weekender. A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, she has previously worked with Good Morning Macarthur and joined the Weekender in 2022.