Walking the Camino for Hope

Past student Liz Williams completed her Senior VCAL Certificate at Kilbreda College in 2009 and went on to study in the fields of Community Service and Education Support at TAFE. Liz worked in childcare before gaining a full time position at Bayside Special Developmental School in Moorabbin. Liz’s job entails working with a wide range of students from all backgrounds with various special needs and she is enthusiastic and passionate about this field of education. One such student is Meckenzie who has a rare metabolic disorder known as Sanfilippo. This inherited disease affects 1 in 70,000 children and is caused by an enzyme deficiency affecting the central nervous system. Researchers are working hard to find a treatment and cure, so fundraising is crucial to their mission. A recent breakthrough by researchers in the USA gives hope that a treatment and cure can soon be found. To raise awareness and sponsorship for Sanfilippo, Liz decided to walk the Camino de Santiago. She set up a fundraising page and then set off, walking 600km from Lisbon in Portugal to Santiago in Spain.

Liz reflects on her Camino experience:

“Ola from Santiago! Recently I completed the 600 km journey on foot from Lisbon in Portugal to Santiago in Spain. I walked for 5 weeks with my parents to complete the Camino de Santiago, a walk that pilgrims have been doing for over a thousand years. I decided I wanted to raise funds for a charity, in particular SCF's Hope for Meckenzie campaign. My first reason for choosing to do this is Meckenzie. I can't imagine Bayside without her and the thought that I won't see her graduate is overwhelmingly devastating. The second reason is finding a cure to Sanfilippo could mean finding a cure for other degenerative brain conditions. I have always believed there's some way to help others if you look for the opportunities.

The highlights of my journey would be all the unexpected moments! Food, music, markets and peoples' kindness. It is a humbling experience also to leave behind belongings and family. I have finished this walk realising how lucky I am for my job, my home, my family and my friends! Completing any adventure like this also has some low-lights. The things I enjoyed less were hard hot days walking up hills in 32 degrees, mosquitoes (which eat me alive!), uncomfortable beds and seeing signs that say 50m to the next café, when actually it is 5km away!

My words of advice to anyone thinking of taking on a challenge or going on a wild adventure would be, ‘Just do it!’ It's not as hard as you think it will be and you soon discover, you are stronger than you thought you were. As far as fundraising goes, there is no harm in asking others for help because any fundraising is better than none! So far I have raised $1,815.00 and I am really happy that people have donated so much."

You can still sponsor Liz’s walk by going to her fundraising page ‘Our Hope for Meckenzie’ via the SANFILIPPO CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION. Follow the link at http://www.sanfilippo.org.au/my-fundraising/4265/hope-for-meckenzie and select the sponsor button to contribute.

Liz Williams