History

It’s a funny story, but as I was thinking of what kind of strategic edge I might have over other Australian Survivor competitors that I had out witted, out smarted, and out lasted I knew I had to come up with something rather spectacular.  What I settled on was using the financial prize of $250,000 to set up a rather remarkable fundraising walk, in Tasmania, with The Stroke Foundation being the beneficiary.  

You see the Stroke Foundation is not a sexy little charity, and stroke has many faces.  Many a stroke survivor has lost the ability to articulate their recovery, should they be lucky enough to have one.  I know this too well, my father suffered 2 strokes. 

Quite frankly it’s a bastard of a condition frequently resulting in brain damage – some mild, others devastating.  This condition needs research, its survivors need support, both practical and financial.  Survivors need intensive therapy – it’s expensive and underfunded (in my opinion).  

So I determined that I would use the prize money to set up an organisation that would raise funds to support stroke survivors.  The trouble was I never made it to Australian Survivor but I did apply.  I never even made the first cut.  Still, the idea was born.  The genie was out of the bottle.

I ring Stroke Foundation and tell them of my idea.  They are interested and I ask “Do you have any idea how much work this will take”.  “I think I do”  I respond.  

I admit it’s a big thing I am wanting to do.  I don’t have any money and nor do they.  I am hopeful of getting into a year long leadership course that would skill me to set up this organisation.  

I tell Stroke Foundation if I do not get in to the leadership course I won’t be doing it.  Fair enough they say.

I tell my personal training clients of this plan.  Marg Marshall offers to do all financial stuff pro bono (sounds like a good deal).  Melinda Williams asks did I know her dad died of a stroke too.  No, I did not.

The following week I find I did not get in to the leadership program.  I put the genie back in the bottle – most of it any way.

Marg Marshall asks me if I am going to create the organisation.  She pulls the genie back out by the hair. The genie submits.

I ask Melinda if she would like to help create this organisation. Meeting organised between Marg Marshall and Melinda William and me.  I state that I am not even sure what the horse is and what is the cart.  We make notes.  Start solidifying the concept.

We develop a Strategic Plan.  We register Tasmanian Iconic Walks.  We talk to Parks and Wildlife who give us an in principle permission.

Stroke Foundation give us permission to fundraise in their name.

Plan.  Start promotion.  Recruit Ruth Slade who designs our logo and website for free.  Did I know her dad had a Stroke?  No, I did not.

We develop a risk management plan.

Start a marketing plan.  Get quotes on insurance.

Talk with a NFP marketing guru. Baby steps – that’s all we can take. It’s daunting, but we can do this!

We visit businesses on the Tasman Peninsula as well as Rotary Tasman.  Our word is getting around and local businesses share our vision.

We have no money – our business case relies on us selling tickets to the event.

We develop a risk management plan. Start a marketing plan.  Get quotes on insurance.

Check out our sponsors – we are getting help locally but no “white knight” sponsor.

We bury ourselves in a risk management policy.

Tickets go on sale – sales are slow but steady and there’s lots of chatter.

We need some cash and set up a crowd funding campaign we raise $1,200  We have not been successful in any of the grants we have applied for.

Jo gets a radio gig on early morning ABC radio with Rky Goddard.  Click here to hear it.

We get our first major sponsor, a generous donation from a local businessman (who wishes to remain anonymous).

Registrations trickle in, but we have more than 10 teams now, and that is what we needed to ensure the event is run.  Donations are starting to be collected.  The Stroke Foundation make contact and say the donations are coming in steadily.  They are excited!  So are we.

Registrations continue right up until a week before the event.  Workplaces have enrolled multiple teams.  By event day we have 20 teams, 67 participants!

The weather gods are with us – it’s a perfect day for hiking!  Everyone attends briefing when they should, everyone is transported to the track on time.  All our organisation pays off.  Our volunteers are in place.  Everything goes to plan.

Some of our participants are through within 4 1/2 hours – some run, some ‘walk competitively’.  Most are back within the 7 hours allotted but around 15 walkers aren’t quite as prepared as they thought.  They complete the walk after 10 hours of being out, walking over the line after 10 hours of walking.  They are very tired, but jubilant!