Inverell will host its first ever MS Moonlight Walk on Saturday November 2 from 4pm, aiming to raise funds and awareness for those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other similar neurological conditions.
Local resident, Shannon Harmon, is bringing the walk to Inverell after participating in the event while living in Townsville.
“I’m originally from Inverell and we’ve just moved back after living in Townsville for the last 10 years,” said Ms Harmon.
“It’s a cause very close to my heart, I was first diagnoses with MS in 2016 when I was just 28 years old – It was such a shock at the time.”
Ms Harmon, her husband Pat, and two young sons Ioan and Dominic have now moved back to Inverell to be closer to family.
It was her NDIS coordinator who encouraged her to start up a local Moonlight Walk.
“I’d mentioned that I missed that community support that I’d had back in Townsville and that the Moonlight Walk was a big part of it and she said to me why don’t you be brave and organise one yourself,” said Ms Harmon.
“So, I got in touch with MS QLD, and we got approval to have an official event here in Inverell”
The walk will commence at 4pm near the bridge in Campbell Park and will go for 1km.
“There are options to do longer walks but we’ve decided to do just the 1km because it’s accessible to everyone regardless of age or ability,” said Ms Harmon.
“I’ve called our Inverell team The Sapphires in honour of us being the Sapphire City.”
“I’d really love to see the community come down and get involved, so please even if you don’t want to walk come down and cheer us on.”
Ms Harmon said it’s not just about raising money but more about creating community awareness and doing something positive.
“I know even myself when I first was diagnosed with MS I thought it was this grim death sentence – yes I have my down days where I don’t feel good but I also have days where I feel fantastic, I have my two beautiful boys and a great life,” said Ms Harmon.
“The one really amazing thing we had up in Townsville was this group that was all about young people living positively with MS and yes we would talk about how we were feeling but also it was all about celebrating the fact that we were all also still doing amazing things.”
All are welcome to join, and it costs $20 to walk.
If you’re unable to walk you can still donate to The Sapphires via the official Moonlight Walk website.
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