Buddy Walk

BUDDY WALK - AUSTRALIA 2010

Sunday 10th October

Buddy Walk - Australia 2010 will be the 'biggest' ever national event celebrating the lives of people with Down syndrome.

  

Tasmania, Bendigo, Horsham and Toowoomba come on board for the first time this year.  We now anticipate there will be at least 14 walks being held Australia-wide.  A minimum of 6,000 people are likely to take part, but the sky is the limit!

  

Perth Buddy Walk will take place around Lake Monger in Wembley, starting from the area near the corner of Dodd and Gregory Streets.  9.30am for a 10am start, there is plenty of parking available.  Following the walk, a Family Fun Day will be held at Lake Monger Reserve between 11am and 2pm.  Click on Lake Monger for some more details about the reserve.  Click on the links to read about Buddy Walk & Family Fun Day 2010 (pdf version) or Buddy Walk & Family Fun Day 2010 (Word version).     

 

The Geraldton walk will take place on Monday 27th September (public holiday) as part of the Sunshine Festival Parade.  Meet at 12.00 at Maitland Park for a 12.30pm start.  The walk will finish with a sausage sizzle and DSWA merchandise will be on sale.  Contact Michelle on 0428 641 814 or email her on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for more details. 

  

 

REGISTRATION:

  • Buddy Walk registration is FREE but walkers need to register

  • All walkers must be registered BEFORE the walk

  • No registrations will be accepted on the day

  • Click on the links to download your registration form (pdf version) or registration form (Word version) 

  • Please send your signed registration form to DSWA, PO Box 338, BENTLEY  WA  6982

  

BUDDY WALK T-SHIRTS, CAPS & DRINK BOTTLES:

  • NEW THIS YEAR - Buddy Walk drink bottles

  • All 'early bird' registrations will receive a FREE drink bottle for each registered walker

  • DEADLINE for 'early bird' registrations - 10th September

  • After 10th September drink bottles will cost $4

  • National Buddy Walk t-shirts and caps will be worn by walkers in all Australian states

  • Buddy Walk t-shirts and caps must be ordered BEFORE the event (preferably by 10th September) 

  • Click on the links to download an order form (pdf version) or an order form (Word version)

  • Please send your order to DSWA, PO Box 338, BENTLEY  WA  6982

  • COLLECTION TIMES for t-shirt, cap & drink bottle orders - 4th to 8th October between 9.30am & 2.30pm, from DSWA, Suite 3 Peer Hourse, 2 Canning Highway, SOUTH PERTH 

      

ON THE DAY - PLEASE NOTE:

  • No registrations will be accepted at Buddy Walk on the day

  • No Buddy Walk t-shirt or cap sales on the day 

  • DSWA Butterfly t-shirts, 2011 calendars and other DSWA merchandise will be available for sale at the Family Fun day following the walk

  • Ample parking is available at Lake Monger Reserve near the corner of Dodd and Gregory Streets

 

TRADITIONAL SPONSORSHIP FORMS:

  • Please ask family, friends, colleagues, classmates etc to sponsor your walk and help raise much needed funds for DSWA

  • Click on the links to download a traditional sponsorship form  (pdf version) or a sponsorship form (Word version)

  • Following the walk, please return your sponsorship form with funds collected to DSWA, PO Box 338, BENTLEY  WA  6982

  • Include details of any receipts which need to be sent to sponsors

  OR

ONLINE SPONSORSHIP: (coming very soon - keep checking)

  • The easiest way to fundraise!  Try it and see!

  • Create your own 'hero' page or a page for someone you know in just minutes (all you need is a photograph and a short paragraph about the person)

  • Email the link to anyone - family, friends, colleagues, classmates, contacts around Australia and the world  - and give them the opportunity to sponsor you 

  • Avoid the awkwardness of having to ask for sponsorship directly

  • Avoid the fuss of having to collect promised funds

  • See how much fun it is to receive messages of encouragement from friends and to see donations come rolling in

  • Click on the link to the Buddy Walk Australia website:

    • Go to the 'Sponsor a Buddy' tab

    • Choose 'Buddy Walk - WA' and see some of the hero pages that have already been created

    • Click on 'REGISTER HERE' if you wish to create your own hero page (just follow the prompts)

    • Click on 'SPONSOR ME' if you wish to find someone you would like to sponsor and donate to DSWA online - easy!

    • DSWA and heros are all notified by email every time a donation is made

    • Sponsors are sent a thank you email when they donate

    • Funds are automatically sent to DSWA

    • If you need assistance to create your hero page or for information about any of the above, don't hesitate to contact DSWA  ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 9368 4002)

Your fundraising will help DSWA continue to provide supports for people with Down syndrome, for families and for the community.  Click on the link to the National Down Syndrome Awareness Week page and read about the aims of Buddy Walk.

 

BUDDY WALK 2009

Last year's event was a big success.  Despite the day commencing with rain and turning out cold and windy, approximately 700 people joined in the walk along the Swan River and as part of the Sunshine Festival in Geraldton.  Around $32,000 was raised, most of this via online fundraising and the 'hero' site.  Some people took the trouble to 'dress up' for the occasion, among them a duo with Marge Simpson hairdos and Super Cooper's Superheros. 

 

Perth

     

                                                    

         

Geraldton

  

   

 

 

BUDDY WALK 2008

What a fantastic event our first Buddy Walk was here in WA!  People with Down syndrome, their families, friends and supporters all joined together in a fantastic show of support, linking with other walks around Australia and Internationally.  WA Buddy Walk 2008 raised over $36,000 - an outstanding effort and a BIG thank you to everyone involved.  

Perth

In Perth we estimate around 1,000 walkers, led by Irene (76yrs), took part in the walk from the Bell Tower to Matilda Bay.  We were very happy to have Justin Langer join us as Glenn Ireland's Buddy.  We hope to have Justin's support in 2009 and we will also be looking for the support of other celebrities to help raise the profile of the event. The weather was perfect for a very beautiful walk along the river, in full view of people driving around Mounts Bay Raod or crossing the freeway.  What an enjoyable way to raise awareness! 

Getting ready to walk  Alex meets Justing Langer      We're off!  Buddy Walk - passing the Brewery     Buddy Walk participants  Glenn with his 'buddy' Justin Langer and Daniel

Geraldton

Our first country walk was held in Geraldton.  More than 30 participants enjoyed a fun walk to the new Geraldton Aqua playground where walkers cooled off after all the hard work.  Thank you to everyone who took part in our inaugural event. 

Geraldton participants James enjoying the walk James cooling down after the walk

Click here to go to the National Awareness Week page to read about the aims of Buddy Walk.