FUN RUNNERS: Berry Babes Patricia Bradley, Cath Philpott and Sally Mandile with Matthew Watson from the Berry Hotel have raised $2500 toward cancer research.
A GROUP of Berry women are in the front running as the highest fund-raising team in this year’s Canberra Times Australian Running Festival.
The festival will take place on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14, in Canberra. The women will be running in the 10km fun run under the team name Berry Babes.
Berry Babes founder Trish Bradley set out with the aim of raising awareness and funds of $1000 toward breast cancer research.
In less than a month Mrs Bradley along with the 17 other Berry Babes have notched up $2500.
“It all started when three friends in Berry were recently diagnosed with breast cancer and then three cousins of mine back in Ireland were diagnosed,” Mrs Bradley said.
“I thought I can’t sit around and do nothing.
“My husband Matthew had run a marathon as a fund-raiser for leukaemia and suggested I get a group together and do a fund-raising run.
“We called ourselves the Berry Babes because we’re all babes in our own minds and we’re all pretty health conscious.
“It wasn’t long until we had 18 women on board. We train together a couple of times a week and we are trying to raise as much money as we can.
“This community has been wonderfully generous.
“The whole village is behind us with money, sponsorship and gift vouchers.
“I am absolutely chuffed with the money we have raised, I’m so proud of everyone who has supported us,” she said.
Matthew Watson from the Berry Hotel is a major supporter of the Berry Babes.
“These girls are a big part of this community, the pub is a big part of the community and this is an important cause. We’re involved in a few fund-raising events,” he said.
The Berry Hotel is holding a St Patrick’s Day event over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon guest dancers, musicians and a special guest will perform. Throughout the day the Berry Babes will have money collection tins on the bar and welcome any donations.
A number of fund-raising events are being held throughout the community.
Berry Public School will host a mufti day for all students and teachers to dress in pink with donations being made to Breast Cancer Australia. The Roxy Cinema in Nowra is also supporting the Berry Babes by hosting a fund-raising evening in April.
The Pink Movie Night featuring the movie Goddess will begin at 7pm. Tickets cost $25 and include a goodie bag.
To support the Berry Babes visit www.everydayhero.com.au/berry_babes or phone Cath Philpott on 0404 092 284 or Trish Bradley on 0429 165 293.