A walk in support of Redfern’s Womens & Girls Emergency Centre (WAGEC) will be held this Sunday at Centennial Park, raising money and awareness for women and children affected by financial stress, domestic violence or other forms of disadvantage.
WAGEC creates safe spaces for women and children impacted by homelessness, domestic violence, and social disadvantage. The organisation provides therapeutic and practical support, financial independence through training and educational opportunities.
This year’s Walk for WAGEC will be the second year the event has run, as the event was originally run in Kogarah in 2019, before taking a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
The Walk for WAGEC originated from the passion of WAGEC supporters, as a way to raise funds to deliver WAGEC’s programs to support women as they build safe futures for themselves and their families.
Many see this event as more important now than ever. Given recent news of sexual assault and misconduct throughout the nation, Walk for WAGEC could not have come at a better time.
WAGEC Director of Fundraising and Communities Chloe Sarapas says: “Opportunities for our community to come together in support of positive social change is now more important than ever and it’s important we all show up and do our part to end gender-based violence.”
“Conversations are growing about gender-based violence and creating healthy and safe cultures in all of our social contexts, which makes us feel a great sense of hope.”
WAGEC are expecting close to 500 people at the in-person event. There are also another 150 virtual participants.
Chloe says: “This is more than double the attendance at the event the first year, which highlights the passion and commitment to our community to helping us end gender-based violence in a generation and create safe futures for everyone.”
The organisation passed their original target of raising $100,000 and after bumping this target up to $200,000 are proud to announce that at the time of communication, $213,000 has been raised.
Walk for WAGEC will be held on Sunday 2 May, starting at 9am at Centennial Park. Virtual participants are able to choose their own time and location. Fundraising will be open until the end of May, allowing plenty more time to contribute to the cause.
You can sign up for the event or donate here.