Sporty boost for disabilities

By Jessica Buccolieri
FOUNTAIN Gate shoppers were visited by AFL legend Robert Harvey and former Australian cricketer Max Walker on Saturday.
The two were at Westfield shopping centre to promote this year’s Yooralla Great Vic Trek, a 2000km trek around Victoria aimed at raising awareness and funds for people with disabilities.
They signed autographs for shoppers after walking a leg of the trek, while a sausage sizzle generated funds.
Yooralla spokesperson Stacey Star said the organisation is Victoria’s oldest service provider for people and families dealing with disabilities.
She said the inaugural trek in 2009 was successful, having raised more than $300,000.
“We made over $2000 on Saturday,” she said.
“This was just one day of 15 for fund raising activities. We’re probably on par with last year’s amount.”
The trek, which began at Federation Square on 28 November, ended on Sunday in Melbourne.
“This is the second year we ran it and it was a great success,” said Miss Star.
“We will definitely do it again next year.”