The team from Cardinia LiFE YMCA Dave Coleman, Judy McCoy and Melissa Thompson prepare for the Windermere Adventure Challenge to Nepal in March. 73906
By Lilly O’Gorman
A 13-DAY trek through Nepal would tick off a lot of firsts for many people.
For YMCA Cardinia LiFE employee Judy McCoy it will be the first time she and her husband have been away together since they were married 27 years ago.
It has taken a lot of planning and family support in order for the McCoys to sign on to the challenge.
It will be the longest time they have spent away from their daughter Kathryn, 23, who has cerebral palsy.
“We have never been apart from Kathryn for that long, so we are a bit anxious,” Judy said.
“But our families are very supportive and we’ve decided that we’re going to do it.
“It’s well worth it, I just love Windermere, and I think they do an awesome job.”
While Judy and her husband Tony will celebrate their wedding anniversary during the trip, they are aware that the Windermere Adventure Challenge to Nepal in March will be no honeymoon.
The trek, a fundraiser for Windermere Child and Family Services, is a journey through the spectacular highlands of Nepal, at altitudes between 3370 metres and 3700 metres.
A contingent of three YMCA employees plus their partners, will travel with about 10 other participants to local schools and villages as well as visiting an organisation working to prevent the illegal trafficking of women and girls.
“A couple of years ago I went to Vietnam and saw there is a lot to be done.
“When this trip to Nepal came up, I thought this is an opportunity to get out there and help,” Judy said.
Advocating for the disadvantaged is not only close Judy’s heart, but also the core of her work at Cardinia Life.
Judy is the Community and Families co-ordinator, and looks after the Open Doors Program which raises money during the year in order to offer memberships to disadvantaged members of the community.
About 120 people have been provided with memberships this year.
“It is proven that exercise and socialisation really helps people suffering with depression and low self-esteem.
“It gets people out of the house and helps them to feel better about themselves,” she said.
“We use providers like Windermere to access people who would not otherwise be able to afford a membership, so we have a good connection with Windermere.”
Joining the McCoys on the YMCA team are university student and canteen employee Melissa Thompson, and customer service and membership service officer Dave Coleman and his partner Scott Anstey.
Dave, 27, said he also had a strong interest in helping the community through his work in the fitness industry.
He is currently completing a certificate III in fitness in order to take an older adults circuit class at the Cardinia U3A once a month.
“I like the idea of doing charity work and I have never done any fundraising before,” he said.
“Nepal is probably one of my number one destinations and that was the main drawcard for me, to go and see how the locals live.”
Dave said fundraising towards the $7500 goal as part of the Adventure Challenge was daunting in the beginning.
“At the start it was a bit of a challenge but once get into the swing of things you are surprised at how generous people can be.”
The group’s next fundraiser Cardinia Life Trash and Treasure Day is on this Sunday 27 November at the Cardinia LiFE stadium car park.
To book a spot to sell ‘trash’ contact reception, 5945 2888. The cost is $25 per car space.
The event starts at 8am and a sausage sizzle will be available for breakfast. All proceeds go to the Windermere Adventure Challenge to Nepal.
