HMAS Melbourne's ultra marathon for Legacy
1 September 2010 By Leading Seaman Don Buckley and Leading Seaman Tricia Muller
The Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Melbourne departed its home port of Sydney on the 16 August 2010 in support of Operation Slipper and the crew onboard have taken a unique approach to raise money for Legacy - an ultra marathon where members of Melbourne ships’ company will be running the whole time the ship is transiting to the Middle East Area of Operations.
The Ultra Marathon charity run was organised to raise money and awareness for the Legacy Foundation. The Legacy Foundation was chosen given the particular relevance it now holds as the ship enters into an operational area that has claimed the lives of 21 Australian servicemen.
This event also provides the opportunity to build mateship and team work within ship’s company and allows for members to improve their fitness and encourages them to set and achieve significant personal goals.
71 crew members have signed on, committing to run and/or walk for periods of an hour each day. Each person continues moving around the designated course until relieved by the next participant, ensuring we up hold our goal of having at least one person moving around the course 24/7 from our last Australian port until the ship reaches the Middle East. Some members have been completing two legs a day; the team averaging between 400 - 500 km per day.
In addition to raising awareness of the Legacy Foundation, our goal is to raise a donation of at least $20,000. A website has been set up through Every Day Hero, www.everydayhero.com.au/melbournes_ultra_marathon_team where friends, family and the community can log on and show their support by donating towards individuals or the entire team. This site is also updated with the distance covered on a daily bases.
Legacy is a voluntary organisation providing services to Australian families suffering financially or socially after the death of a spouse or parent during or after their defence force service. They currently care for 115,000 widows and 1,900 children and dependants throughout Australia. They help ensure that the sacrifice of Australians who have paid the ultimate price will never be forgotten.
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