The hot weather wasn’t going to stop Greg Binskin and his family from taking on the Bridge2Bridge challenge on Sunday.
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“KidzWish has been a really great supporter for the family in going through the challenges of having a boy with a disability,” Binskin said.
The family from Woonona joined hundreds of others for the annual walk from the Sea Cliff bridge to Windang bridge.
All funds raised go towards the services and programs offered by the Illawarra children's charity, which are invaluable to kids like Binskin’s son Ashton.
“Ashton had an infantile stroke when he was eight weeks old. He still has a brain tumour,” Binskin said.
“We are still trying to work through his ability. He has difficulty walking but we are training him up to walk so he has got lots of disabilities.
“We have been especially grateful for the early intervention support KidzWish has provided. Ashton wasn’t supposed to be able to speak or talk. The intervention helps him through his social engagement.
“The physio and other services KidzWish provides has also been very helpful.”
Mr Binskin, his partner Renee Jurgielan and their sons Ashton and Hayden, as well as therapy dog Erin, walked from Bulli to WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
They spoke to the Mercury while taking a rest at Towradgi beach.
“We will walk to WIN Stadium and then go to Wollongong Golf Club to celebrate Ashton’s [7th] birthday,” he said.
“It is great that KidzWish is a local charity that helps local kids and families. It has made a big difference in Ashton's life since they've come into our lives.”
Participants had the option to walk all 40kms, or part of the course.
For the first time, KidzWish speech pathologist Roisin Glover walked the whole way.
She was joined by her husband, sister and other members of her family.
“I think it is important to raise awareness for KidzWish in the Illawarra. We are a small organisation but we are based here trying to raise funds to stay here in the region,” she said.
“Obviously a walk like this means a lot of people out and about and they see us and ask us questions about what we do.
“Obviously it raises funds for us to be able to continue the programs that we run but most of all it gives us a chance to work together with the community.
“We also get to see other families, like Ashton's family here and show people what we are aiming to do for kids but also their families.”
KidzWish ambassador and event founder Michael Hamilton started the Bridge2Bridge challenge to inspire people to help others.