Claire is a fundraising legend (like YOU ?) taking part in the 2024 Melbourne MS Walk Run + Roll. She will be taking on the MS Walk Run and Roll for the third time in 2024 and aiming to emulate her fundraising of over $30,000 in 2023 this year!
Why does Claire take part in the MS Walk Run + Roll? As someone living with MS Claire loves the community feel of the events, as well as taking on a personal challenge.
It is now my new marathon. I have run a marathon and used to run a lot but with the numbness in my leg, I can’t really run much anymore so it is about challenging myself to get around and complete 5km.
Claire experienced somewhat of a watershed moment at her first MS Walk Run + Roll. After being diagnosed in 2021 with multiple sclerosis, the first MS Plus newsletter that she received featured the MS Walk Run + Roll and she felt so compelled to take part as a coping mechanism and a way to process her recent diagnosis.
I had bottled everything in after my diagnosis and when I crossed the start line, I fell apart and sobbed uncontrollably. It was probably the first time I had let it all out. But I heard all the cheers and carried on and got around buoyed by all the support.
The positivity from the MS community at the MS Walk Run + Roll is what keeps Claire coming back. As someone living with MS Claire can see the impact that the event and the fundraising has on people living with multiple sclerosis. As well as the personal connection so many have to the event.
As someone who lives with MS, I know my friends and family would do anything they can to help make life a bit better for me and this is their way of helping. I always find myself having a personal moment and still have a little cry, a few warm hugs with strangers and also many laughs. It is a slice of humanity at its very best.
In 2023 Claire was the highest fundraiser in the 2023 Melbourne MS Walk Run + Roll. Raising an incredible $28,380.37 last year was no easy task, Claire spread her fundraising web large and wide, Claire found success in combining digital and analogue elements across her social media and printer posters in her workplace to raise funds.
Claire encourages everyone to just ask, it’s not about asking someone to donate to ‘another fundraiser’, tell your connections your reason for taking part, why are you doing the MS Walk Run + Roll? and what a donation would mean to Australians living with MS.
If you don't ask or put the message out there you won't fundraise!, my two top fundraising tips are
- Explain why you are doing the MS Walk Run + Roll and the impact a donation will have.
- Follow up with your fundraising request including after the event when you have completed it. People are busy but want to help so often need a nudge.
