August is usually a big month, this one has already been huge so here is an update rather than a regular P & G blog / write up ...
At this time of year the mornings start to lighten earlier - and I transition from running in the dark to running through the sunrise - gorgeous, usually cold and in keeping with the general feeling of change; a shift in momentum.
A lot has already happened this month, and there is a lot more to come. The Pup & Girl website has been updated and we are madly working through the planning / logistics / mapping / list of requirements / recruitment stage of this next #greatbigrun from Perth to Adelaide.
National Homelessness Week has already happened, and I am currently running my way through 120 miles this week to support Hutt St Centre's 'Walk a Mile' fundraiser...
There have been opportunities to connect with a few peeps sleeping in and around the 'burbs' on my morning runs... heartening and heartbreaking in turns.
And I am tired, parts of me hurt more than they should...and I am literally crying out for a time out, a small reprieve to recalibrate, reset, and refocus. At the end of this month I am heading to an ashram, to disconnect from the world and yoga until my heart is content - and when I return the Pup & Girl updates / blogs will morph slightly to accommodate the two points of interest for people #running vs #homelessness.
For now; here is AUGUST at a GLANCE...
National Homelessness Week 2022 & Walk a Mile in my Boots...
This year National Homelessness Week (1-7 August), set up to raise awareness about the current impact of homelessness across Australia through local and community events, was focused on To end homelessness we need a plan.
According to the 2016 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census, there were more than 116,000 people experiencing homelessness in Australia.
Every Australian deserves to have a home, RIGHT?? But right now in Australia, we do not have a comprehensive plan to immediately address the critical need for housing.
And off the back of National Homelessness Week - I am 58 miles into the 120 miles (192 -ish kilometres) I promised to complete for Hutt St - Walk a Mile....I am waking a little earlier, running a little further, and persistently late for everything this week as a result - if you are keen beans, you can read more about Hutt St here - https://www.huttstcentre.org.au/ ... later this week we will add some pics to the socials of myself and the hounds rocking the Walk a Mile gear (bright orange!!)
Signing not Waving premiered, and was beautiful...
Early this year Barry Priori; fabulous human, larger than life personality within the Deaf Community and ardent supporter of Pup & Girl passed away.
Without doubt it is a loss that still echoes through the hearts of many, and I miss him EVERYDAY. It is hard to imagine this next great big run without him cheering me on.
Last weekend a documentary about Barry, and what it is to grow up Deaf in a hearing family, premiered at the Mercury Cinema...it was beautiful.
You can watch it on ABC on the 28th August !
If you are unfamiliar; Barry and his business partner and best friend Donovan were the first sponsors and supporters of Pup & Girl - Run to Melbourne via Sign Language Australia. I am indebted to their kindness and their belief in me, the support from the Deaf Community in general has been remarkable !
3 years ago; we were just about to run to Melbourne...
...and at this time three years ago (August 2019) - we were two weeks away from the start of the first Great Big Run - Adelaide to Melbourne!
I want to take some time to acknowledge the impact and input so many people had in the lead up to, and for the duration, of those unfathomable 10 days.. especially the support crew, who gave up their time, possibly part of their sanity, and definitely their comfort - they are my angels and will forever have a special place in my heart !
But also all the folks that helped to get the event off the ground by calling and emailing all sorts of other folk - the people that made us food, made us banners and stickers and clothing, those that housed us along the way - helped in any way BIG and SMALL - and all those people who donated...altogether this fills me with hope that we pull off this next outrageous run.
I will see you on the other side of my time away...and...
as always - THANK YOU for the time you give us, thank you for your support, thank you, thank you, thank you xx
If you would like to get involved in the Perth to Adelaide run, in any capacity, let us know - pupandgirl@gmail.com
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