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A local gym owner is combining fitness with fundraising this month by organising a Pink Ribbon walkathon in Wellsford for breast cancer awareness.
Mel Colthurst, who runs the Mad Mel Movement fitness centres in Wellsford and Warkworth, is staging a 5km walk around Wellsford Rugby Football Club fields on the morning of Sunday, October 20, followed by lunch afterwards.
There will also be guest speakers – clients of Mel’s with first-hand experience of going through breast cancer, who will talk about what they have been through.
“They have bravely put their hand up to share their experiences, as it makes it more relatable and engaging to hear vulnerable stories like theirs,” she says.
Colthurst says it is through knowing women personally and professionally who’ve had to deal with a cancer diagnosis that has made her keen to organise an event to raise funds and awareness of the widespread disease. Every year 3,500 Kiwis are diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 650 will die.
“I have been super-keen to get alongside the breast cancer awareness programme for a long time and do what we can as an organisation to support theirs,” she says.
“Over the last year, I have come into contact personally with loved ones, members and friends of family that have had first-hand experiences of breast cancer or are breast cancer survivors.
“As a female gym owner where the majority of members are women, it is super-important to me to ensure all women are aware of how common this awful cancer is and anything preventative we can be doing to get ahead of it.”
She chose a walkathon as it was something that most people could get involved with at some level.
“It’s super-inclusive and is very much something the majority can get on board with and participate in – it will be at your own pace and removes the daunting element that sometimes comes with a fitness fundraiser – and it will be more fun with friends and family.”
Participants will pay a $20 entry fee, or $2 for children, all of which will go to the Breast Cancer Foundation.
Colthurst says everyone is welcome, regardless of fitness level, and dressing up in pink is actively encouraged.
She’s hoping a local caterer or food supplier will come on board to help sponsor or donate something towards the post-walk lunch but, failing that, says she will organise it all herself.
“I’m reaching out to local vendors to support our cause – if anyone is keen to support, please send me an email!”
As well as raising funds and awareness, Colthurst says the walkathon is also a reminder that staying healthy and keeping fit is important at any stage of a cancer journey.
A number of Mad Mel clients are breast cancer survivors, while others are still going through treatment.
She said being fit and strong had helped several of them through the process and to feel better about themselves.
“Client survivors are so much stronger now and it feels almost surreal to them where they are at physically today, versus at the time they were told there was so much that would be stripped away from them,” she says.
“There were things they didn’t think they would be able to do when it came to exercising, but they have now completely taken control over their bodies back.”
Mindset was also important too, she added.
“Being active and strong physically builds resilience of the mind – physically and mentally and emotionally, it’s all so interconnected,” she said. “I’m super-proud of the wahine toa I know. How grateful we are to have them!”
Mad Mel Movement’s F- -k Breast Cancer Walkathon is at 9am on Sunday, October 20 at Centennial Park, Wellsford, come rain or shine.
Info and donations: email madmelsmovement@gmail.com or visit
https://fundraise.bcf.org.nz/fundraiser/melcolthurst/mad-mel-movement-x-f–k-breast-cancer-walk
