They’ve traded in their “bathtubs” for sleek river kayaks and are ready for their four day 150 kilometre adventure on the Macquarie River next month which raises money for the Black Dog Institute.
“Torwood terriers” – Lindsay Settree, 68, his son Toby, 23, and neighbours Bill Joannou, 59, and Vince Spisso, 61, – from Torwood Street in Warrimoo are adding in a combined neighbourhood garage sale in their street [on Saturday October 15] and a sausage sizzle at Bunnings at Valley Heights [on Sunday October 23] this time around, to hopefully boost their target.
Last year they raised $4,000 – as a group they raised about an eighth of the total funds from last year’s event which had about 100 entrants.
This year they hope to double that figure.
They started in the event last year for Lindsay’s 20-year-old daughter Claire, who has regularly suffered from mental illness.
This year a young local man’s suicide has made the need “just as urgent”.
“We’re not losing sight we’re doing this for Claire … but this adds impact,” Mr Spisso said.
We’re not losing sight we’re doing this for Claire
- Vince Spisso
Mr Settree said since Claire went public with her story last year they have had a few unexpected discussions with other residents in the community who have lived with mental illness.
October is mental health awareness month. The kayak event for Black Dog runs from November 24-27.
Mr Settree said this year their new, long, narrow kayaks will go quicker in the water, than their old fishing kayaks, which were more long “bathtubs”.
“Everyone who had one like it [a wider kayak], had traded it in by the end of the trip but we finished with them,” Mr Settree said.
“To do this adventure with friends it’s special,” Mr Joannou added.
They are hoping to close their cul-de-sac on the day of the garage sale, separate specific goods on to individual tables [electrical goods, cake stalls, etc] and to make things easier, they will have a central point of purchase.
“There will be a lot of good stuff.” Details on the sale, or to donate goods, call 0403 170077.
The group train twice weekly on the Nepean River.
To donate go to the link, https://womdomnom2016.everydayhero.com/au/torwood-terriers.
- Garden open for Beyond Blue - see Pg 32.