Charity starts from HallamBy Rebecca Fraser

SOME people make New Year’s resolutions to quit smoking, take up the gym or lose weight, but Araluen Ward councillor Rob Wilson has come up with a much more charitable goal.
Cr Wilson has organised a charity walk from Hallam to Endeavour Hills to fulfil his New Year’s resolution to raise funds for local charity.
On 19 September, walkers will trek 3.7 kilometres from Gunns Road Reserve in Hallam to the Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre with all funds raised going to Windermere Child and Family Services and Christians Helping in Primary Schools (CHIPS).
This week, Cr Wilson encouraged all primary school children to get involved in the walk.
“The walk is on the first Monday of the school holidays so I am asking teachers to recruit their students to the walk,” he said.
“There will be supervisors on the day who can supervise the children.
“The walk costs $10 for children, $20 for an adult and $100 for a business.”
Cr Wilson said the school that signed up the most children would be presented with $1000 worth of art and craft materials.
He also said it had been very easy to choose his two charities.
“These two groups are really good organisations that do a lot of great work with kids at risk in the Casey community,” Cr Wilson said.
“CHIPS have 400 volunteers who help disadvantaged kids and children at risk.
“We hope to raise as much as we can because these organisations need thousands of dollars.
“So I encourage everyone to jump on board. It is not about the walk, but raising funds to provide help to children in Casey.”
Cr Wilson said Federal Member for Holt Anthony Byrne and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan would present certificates to all walkers after they reached the Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre.
He also said that legendary commentator and television personality Mike Williamson would also be at the shopping centre following the walk, as part of a school holiday footy show.
The walk starts at 9.30am and for further information call Rob Wilson on 0409 979 065.