A Hoppers Crossing resident is using the silly season to raise much-needed funds for the battle against bowel cancer.
Julie Toner is using her Wyndham council neighbourhood community grant to host a Santa walk next month, with all proceeds going to Bowel Cancer Australia.
Despite having a family history of bowel cancer, Ms Toner was floored when she was diagnosed with a stage four cancer in August 2012, only two weeks after her 40th birthday.
“I didn’t have any symptoms whatsoever; it was just a gut feeling … I really had to go and get tested,” she said.
Ms Toner underwent a colectomy and seven months of chemotherapy and is now in remission.
The 43-year-old hosts a fundraiser every year for Bowel Cancer Australia.
This year, she’s asking Wyndham residents to don a Santa suit or Christmas-themed costume and join her Santa walk along the banks of the Werribee River, finishing up at Kelly Park with children’s activities, food and a market.
“I’m just so grateful for the help that Bowel Cancer Australia has given me, and I want to give back to them,” she said.
“Bowel cancer can happen to anybody, it does happen to anybody – you’re never too young to get tested.”
The Wyndham Santa Walk will be held on December 5 from 9.30am along the Werribee River.
Details: www.trybooking.com/JMOJ
