Above: Cimantha Hogton gives the thumbs up to fundraising for MS.By Danielle Galvin
CIMANTHA Hogton managed to raise over $7000 in the Multiple Sclerosis Fun Run, for a cause that is close to her heart.
She ran 10 kilometres in just over an hour around Albert Park Lake for the fun run on Sunday, and was the highest individual fundraiser in Australia.
Cimantha’s sister-in-law, Suzie McGowan, suffers from MS. She was diagnosed in October.
“Suzie is such an inspiration. She’s been so positive and brave throughout the whole thing,” Cimantha said.
“It was my first fun run so I was just glad I made it to the end in one piece!”
Multiple Sclerosis affects three times as many women as men, and the average age of diagnosis is 30 years.
With the help of her team Guzies Spoons, Cimantha hopes that the money raised can make a difference in the lives of people living with MS.
“It doesn’t matter that I was the highest individual fundraiser.
All that matters is that we raise awareness about MS, because it is hard to diagnose and there is no known cure.”
Cimantha and her housemate came up with the idea less than a month ago.
“I wanted to give back to the community, considering I live and work in the area. My housemate suggested we either help out a children’s charity or do the fun run. Because of my sister-in-law we decided on the MS fun run” she said.
With just three and a half weeks to raise money, Cimantha and the Guzies Spoons team expected to raise $1000. Instead, the team exceeded everyone’s expectations and raised $9127. Cimantha was pleased with the result and enjoyed the experience.
“It was such a good, fun atmosphere on the day and the organisers had the best set up. It was an amazing day,” she said.
But that’s not all. Cimantha is already planning her next fundraiser, organising a show at the Cardinia Cultural Centre with the hypnotist Bizarre Gazzard on October 7. Tickets will be $30, and all proceeds will go towards MS Australia. She hopes to raise $6000.
“The money raised goes towards helping MS sufferers,” she said.
“All in all it was an awesome, humbling experience and we will do it all over again. I have to thank New Balance, Clarks and Jen from Casey Fields who all donated prizes for the raffle too,” she said.
Donate to MS Australia through the website, www.mswalk.org.au/vic/about-ms/what-is-ms.asp.
