After raising more than $30,000 and walking over 120 kilometres, City of Casey Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon completed the Mayor's Walk for Disability.
Cr Stapledon took off from Livvi's Place in Lyndhurst on Saturday 14 September and wrapped it all up at the Doveton Show the following Sunday, with a huge crowd of support in attendance.
The walk took Cr Stapledon across the municipality from Narre Warren to Lynbrook, Endeavour Hills and Tooradin.
Cr Stapledon said she was overcome with emotion when she finished the walk and thanked all the generous people and groups that had supported her along the way.
"I can't thank everyone enough who got behind me and supported the important cause that I set out to raise both money and awareness for," the Mayor said.
The Mayor's Walk for Disability raised funds for Project 28, an initiative by the Wolfdene Foundation that will see the construction of supported accommodation units for people in Casey who live with a disability and are still in the care of their ageing parents or carers.
Project 28 will address a current shortfall of 28,000 households Australia wide for people living with a disability and strives to achieve 28 supported accommodation units by the year 2028.
Cr Stapledon said while she set out to raise both funds and awareness for Project 28, she also wanted to shine a spotlight on other other local community groups in the area, particularly local disability agencies.
"While I set out to raise both funds and awareness for Project 28, it was also important to shine a spotlight on the amazing community groups we have in Casey, particularly local disability agencies.
"I believe that every person, no matter what their ability, should have the right of passage to leave home and to live in their 'forever' home that is safe, homely and a place to live their best life.
"I also believe that we should be giving comfort to their carers that when they are no longer with us, their adult child is well cared for," Cr Stapledon said.
In the lead up to the nine-day event, Cr Stapledon held a weekly Walk and Talk with the Mayor at different locations across Casey, which gave her the chance to train, as well as an opportunity for local residents to catch up with the Mayor to discuss matters close to them.
Balla Balla Community Centre in Cranbourne East showed an overwhelming sense of support when the local community group donated $10,000 to the Wolfdene Foundation.
The City of Casey, Mayor and Councillors would like to thank everyone who showed their support for the Mayor's Walk for Disability, including the local community groups that hosted Cr Stapledon and her dedicated walkers along the way.
