Big Walk for Little Kids Launches at Bondi Surf Bathers’ Club

Camp Quality will officially launch Big Walk for Little Kids this Saturday at Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club. From 8am, participants will gather for merchandise giveaways and entertainment, before stepping out together at 9:30am for a community walk along the iconic Bondi promenade.

The launch event will be a morning full of fun and family spirit, featuring a live DJ, Camp Quality volunteers, Big Walk for Little Kids participants, and this year’s Big Walk for Little Kids Champion, celebrity surf lifesaver Harries Carroll.

Attending is eight-year-old Hermione, who was diagnosed with leukaemia just before her fifth birthday. Hermione and her mum, Ann, are excited to share their story and walk alongside other families, volunteers and other participants this September.

“Throughout treatment, Hermione endured daily medications, weekly port accesses, monthly surgeries, and intense side effects — especially from chemotherapy and steroids. She lost her hair three time,” says Ann.

Ann registered the family with Camp Quality after a social worker in hospital recommended the orgnaisation. “Camp Quality events have brought moments of fun and laughter into a place that was often filled with fear and stress. Those camps, picnics, cruises, zoo tickets, magic shows, Family Camps and Family Retreats reminded Hermione – and us – that joy was still possible, even in the middle of cancer treatment.”
Now in its sixth year, Big Walk for Little Kids, proudly supported by ALDI, invites Australians everywhere to lace up their sneakers throughout September and walk 25km, 50km or 100km to raise funds for kids and families facing cancer.

“This is our second year participating in the Big Walk for Little Kids and I feel so lucky to be able to walk for Hermione and for all of the other children and families that we have met along the way.”

Celebrity surf lifesaver Harries says: “As a father of two, the thought of a child going through cancer is just heartbreaking. No parent ever wants to see their child suffer. That’s why getting behind Big Walk for Little Kids means so much to me. It’s humbling to use my passion for health and fitness for something extremely meaningful, helping bring some fun and laughter to kids and families facing cancer.”

Funds raised from the walk provide Camp Quality’s vital programs and services from Family Camps and Kids’ Camps to Family Retreats and Child Life Therapists, giving children impacted by cancer the chance to laugh, play and just be kids again.

Since its inception, Big Walk for Little Kids has raised more than $7.8 million to help families facing cancer. Registrations are now open.