The streets of Canberra were alive with purpose on Thursday, 12 February, as Goodwin Aged Care Services held its simultaneous “Practice Walks.” The events served as a final community-wide rally ahead of this Sunday’s Dementia Australia Memory Walk & Jog, where Team Goodwin is sprinting toward a monumental $100,000 fundraising target.
From Ainslie to Monash, Goodwin locations gathered residents, staff, clients, and families for a stroll through their local streets. While the “big day” at Lake Burley Griffin on 22 February is expected to attract over a thousand, these local Team Goodwin Practice Walks are designed with a deeper purpose: inclusion.
Ensuring No One is Left Behind
The Practice Walks make it possible for every member of the Goodwin community to participate, regardless of whether they can attend the large-scale event this Sunday. For many residents living in Memory Support Units or older clients and residents who may find the crowds at the lake overwhelming, these local walks offered a chance to be part of the movement. Because dementia touches so many lives, Goodwin’s mission is to ensure that those living with the disease – and those who care for them – are never excluded from the journey toward a cure.
The Practice Walks also provided a unique platform for local representatives to engage directly with their constituents. In Ainslie, the community was joined by Mr. Shane Rattenbury MLA and Ms. Elizabeth Lee MLA, while Andrew Braddock MLA walked with the team in Crace, and Mr. Taimus Werner-Gibbings MP showed his support in Monash. They walked alongside Goodwin Board members, Executives and corporate sponsors such as ck Architecture, Guide Healthcare, and Higgins Coating, all of whom have been instrumental in driving the “Suburb Showdown” leaderboard.
The Leaderboard’s “Top Dog”
While the cause is serious, with dementia affecting more than 6,100 Canberrans and nearly half a million Australians, the Practice Walks were filled with a spirit of joy and friendly competition. Leading the individual fundraising charge is a participant with a unique advantage: Zoe, a retired Goodwin Support Dog.
Adopted by the family of Erik Boddeus, Goodwin’s Executive Manager, Retirement Living, Property and Development, Zoe has traded her working vest for a purple bandana. At the time of going to print, Zoe has raised an incredible $4,160, sitting firmly at the top of the Team Goodwin Individual leaderboard.
Erik, serving as the Team Goodwin Corporate and Friends campaign “Outpacer” and Ambassador, spoke of the significance of the day. “These Practice Walks are about visibility and solidarity,” Mr. Boddeus said. “Seeing our residents walking alongside MPs and sponsors shows that we are all in this together. While Zoe is currently our ‘Top Dog,’ she still has a few pawsome tricks up her sleeve to ensure we hit that $100,000 mark. It’s all in good spirits, but we never lose sight of the fact that this is a serious and often heartbreaking cause.”
The Final Sprint
With the main event at Stage 88 just days away, Team Goodwin is making a final call to the Canberra community. Every dollar raised by Team Goodwin goes directly to Dementia Australia to fund vital research, support services, and education.
“Goodwin is proud to lead philanthropy in this space in the ACT because dementia is a disease that touches so many families across our community,” said Goodwin CEO Stephen Holmes. “The Practice Walks prove that you don’t have to be a marathon runner to make a difference. Goodwin is part of the fabric of society, and it is our responsibility to contribute in this way.”
As Team Goodwin enters the final sprint, they invite all Canberrans to help them reach the $100,000 finish line. Whether you are joining the 2km, 5km, or 10km events this Sunday or donating from home, every contribution brings the ACT and Australia one step closer to outpacing dementia.
To support Team Goodwin or donate to Zoe’s “Top Dog” campaign, visit memorywalk.com.au/event/canberra/teamgoodwin
