What a Walk!

On Saturday 11 May, an inspiring 872 Queenslanders stepped out at ALWS’ first Brisbane Walk My Way Ukraine and sent a bright message of hope to Ukrainian children and families displaced by war.

Walk My Way Ukraine was the largest community Walk My Way event organised by ALWS.

Organised in partnership with the Ukrainian Community of Queensland and with the support of platinum partner the LLL, the event raised must needed funding for projects delivered by ALWS’ international partner Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Collectively walkers raised over $178,000 (and rising) to provide emergency food and water to families in need, rebuild classrooms so children can return to school and renovate 1500 apartments in Kharkiv so families can return home.

ALWS’ Walk My Way Ukraine featured a 3km or 12.5km walk that started and finished at a ‘Community Hub’ setup at QUT Gardens Point Campus with Ukrainian food stalls, live entertainment and a special Kids Zone.

As walkers ambled through the heart of Brisbane, their bright blue shirts displayed the unofficial national flower of Ukraine, the sunflower. The sunflower is a symbol of peace as it always turns toward the sun, so shadow falls behind it. This is the hope that walkers shared as they stepped out at Walk My Way Ukraine.

What a joy it is to see 850 people, all in ALWS blue T-shirts, walking up to 12.5km, and raising $180,000+ to help Ukrainian children of war through ALWS!

So, let’s join the walk …

… whether you walked

… or wheeled

… or woofed and wagged

… or went for a win

… or waited with a wave

… or welcomed with a warble

Members of the local Ukrainian community supported the ALWS Walk My Way Ukraine with folksongs, national dance and delightful food at the Community Hub.

… or wore whatever you wanted

ALWS Executive Director  (left) with Honourable Grace Grace, local Government member (centre), and Peter Bongiorni, President of Ukrainian community in Queensland (right).

… or got going in Gladstone

Whoops, I ran out of W words …

… except to say how wonderful that walkers from St Martins Lutheran Church in Gladstone, (540 kilometres north of Brisbane), also did Walk My Way Ukraine – their own way.

The team of 16 people aged 10 to 85, and one four-legged person, walked in Tannum Sands, along the Millenium Esplanade to High Bank on Wild Cattle Creek …

… and what’s extra wonderful is one member volunteered to DOUBLE whatever the church’s  Walkers raised!

How’s all that for good news?!

 My hope is that this message of good news from ALWS can be a little spot of hope for you, and show you how precious your kindness will ALWayS be! Thank you!