Six-year-old Raya celebrates two years in cancer remission with help from camp quality puppets
Ed Orszulak and Sebastian Boehm cross the finish line in Melbourne, completing their Big, Big, Big, Walk for Little Kids
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On Monday 30 September, Ed Orszulak, Sebastian Boehm and their support team arrived in Melbourne after walking 2804km from Brisbane. The team walked for 70 days through Queensland, New South Sales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria to raise funds for Camp Quality.
Ed is a Major in the Australian Army and has volunteered with Camp Quality since 2012 as a companion on camps and as a fundraiser. Sebastian is a Firefighter with ACT Fire and Rescue and has been a volunteer with Camp Quality for over 25 years. Ed and Seb were also walking in memory of their friend Dave Finney, who sadly lost his battle with mental health.
The team was greeted at the Royal Park, in north Melbourne, by an Australian Defence Force band and cheering supporters. Channel 7 covered the event, with Ed saying he was “exhilarated to be finished and grateful to be part of it”. They both said that one of the highlights of the walk was the Camp Quality families they met along the way.
“It has shown the influence and impact that Camp Quality has had on the lives of kids with cancer and their families and their ability to bring laughter and fun back into their lives,” Seb said.
Over the last two and a half months, the team has raised a phenomenal $106k. With a few small fundraising events still to go, they will continue to work towards their goal of $250k. The funds raised will help Camp Quality support kids and families facing cancer through hospital programs, educational resources and recreational programs.
Camp Quality founder, Vera Entwistle, came to meet Ed and Seb at the end of their walk. “I am just so grateful that we have that kind of support for Camp Quality,” Vera said.
“Anytime we do a fundraiser we know that not only the children, but the families are going to benefit. Only a family who has a child on cancer treatment will understand when I say, if anyone ever needed a break, it’s those families. The money raised will put a lot more families at a Family Camp and I am thrilled about that.”
There is still time to donate to EDS Big, Big, Big Walk for Little Kids on their Camp Quality fundraising page.
