The Mother’s Day Classic is coming to the Beaches this year with a 4.2-kilometre walk around Long Reef Headland on Sunday 11 May.
The Classic has donated $46.1 million to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) since 1998 and $1.2 million to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) for the first time in 2024.
Event organiser Vanja Wilson was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in 2024; she’s now in the clear following surgery and chemotherapy. She wanted to give something back, so she offered to run a Beaches’ event this year. She says ovarian cancer research is vital.
“I think (fundraising) is necessary given the underrepresentation and underfunding of this particular cancer,” says Vanya. “We haven’t got detection, we haven’t got targeted or effective treatment, and the outcomes are so poor.”
The Dee Why Mother’s Day Classic is a family-friendly 4.2-kilometre walk around Long Reef Headland at 9am, starting and ending at the event village at Griffin Park, where there will be coffee, food, juices, stalls, kids’ entertainment and an exciting raffle.
Entrants can choose to raise money for NBCF, OVRF, or both. Clothing chain Witchery has also released a special white shirt, with 100% of the proceeds going to OCRF. Entrants can pre-register online or show up on the day.
“What better way to spend Mother’s Day!” says Vanya. “Promote women’s health on their day.”
You can register here!