Throughout August, our Can Assist branches brought their communities together for our annual peer-to-peer fundraising challenge, Can Do the Distance.
Across the walks, we saw fundraisers, donors, members, volunteers and families who are, or have been, supported by Can Assist all coming together to walk, connect and show their support for people affected by cancer in their local communities.
These walks are a wonderful way to bring local communities together, raise additional donations and showcase the important work our branches are doing to support people affected by cancer.
They’re also a valuable opportunity to put Can Assist in front of new audiences. Local newspaper, radio, online and community coverage can help more people discover Can Assist — including people who may not yet know we’re here to support them when cancer strikes.
The more people who know about Can Assist, the more likely we are to reach people who need our support — ideally earlier in their cancer journey, so they know they don’t have to navigate it alone.
We’re so proud of everyone who got involved and helped make this year’s Can Do the Distance so special.
We hope these stories give our branches ideas and inspiration for Can Do the Distance 2027, including how their local walk can create meaningful stories and media opportunities for their community.
FORBES – SATURDAY 22 AUGUST
Forbes Branch Do the Distance!
Forbes hosted their Can Do the Distance walk on a beautiful sunny day by Lake Forbes with 140 people attending. This was their second year hosting a walk for Can Do.
Lake Forbes
The Bridge to Bridge route gave people the choice to walk one lap or keep going, making it easy for everyone to take part at their own pace. The Forbes Branch set up their Can Assist tent by the lake, creating a place for walkers to meet, have a chat, donate and connect before setting off.
Beau Hartwig and Ann Bray, patients supported by the Forbes Branch, joined the walk with their families.
Fundraiser Melissa celebrated for her efforts
The day also included a special moment for Melissa Nicholson, who received a certificate recognising her fundraising efforts, so far she has raised $1842 for Forbes. Melissa walked in honour of her sister Kristie who was assisted by Forbes during her cancer journey.
After the walk, everyone headed to Forbes Sport & Recreation Club from midday for a well-earned sausage sizzle.
Local Media:
Join Sunday morning walk for CanAssist
Step up for CanAssist, local families, this Sunday
TAMWORTH BRANCH – SATURDAY 22nd AUGUST
Tamworth walkers in front of Can Assist Truck
Tamworth was back for a second year of Can Do the Distance, following the success of last year’s walk.
This year, the weather certainly put the community to the test, with rain and flooding in the lead-up to the event. But a little rain wasn’t going to stop Tamworth! Ten determined walkers braved the wet weather to come together at King George Avenue and take part.
The branch also introduced a $15 entry fee, giving people a simple way to take part while helping raise additional funds for their local Can Assist Branch.
Tamworth Vice President Bill Moss also took on his own Can Do the Distance challenge, aiming to reach an incredible 100,000 steps throughout August. Bill has raised up to $2,500 for the branch so far — an amazing effort!
Despite the weather, Tamworth showed that Can Do the Distance is about more than the walk itself. It’s about getting involved, supporting your community and finding ways to make a difference.
The branch is already looking ahead to 2027 and is keen to build on this year’s event and bring even more of the Tamworth community together.
PARKES BRANCH – SUNDAY 23 AUGUST
Parkes came together on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning for their Can Do the Distance walk around North Parkes Oval, with 75 people joining in.
The morning brought together members, volunteers, fundraisers, families and local supporters for a few laps, plenty of conversation and a chance to show their support for people affected by cancer in country NSW.
The Parkes Branch also set up a Can Assist tent where people could make donations, have a chat with the team and find out more about Can Assist. The day even resulted in a new volunteer signing up to get involved!
It was a lovely opportunity for the Parkes community to get moving, catch up with familiar faces and come together for a cause close to home.
Parkes Branch Do the Distance and Mornos!
A morning tea was also hosted after the walk, giving those who stayed a chance to sit down, have a chat and enjoy some time together.
PEAK HILL BRANCH – SATURDAY 29 AUGUST
Peak Hill enjoyed a beautiful sunny day for their Can Do the Distance walk with around 30 people attending. While not everyone took part in the walk, there were plenty of ways for the community to get involved and support the day.
The walk started at Peak Hill Memorial Park before heading along Derribong Street to Whitton Park Road and returning to the park.
The community really got behind the day, with Coles in Parkes donating towards the BBQ and local businesses generously donating gifts for a raffle, including Harvey Norman in Dubbo, Bunnings, Kmart and Kaisercraft. The raffle prizes were drawn at the Ex-Services Club on Saturday night.
Local man Rick Read also ran a 100-square chart at $20 a square, adding another great fundraising effort to the day.Together, the raffle, 100-square chart and donation tins raised an incredible $2,581, alongside $2,050 raised through Grassrootz — an outstanding effort from the Peak Hill community!
A special mention also goes to Linda Gaunt, an 85-year-old long-time member of the Peak Hill Branch, who took part in the walk and raised an incredible $500 for the branch. After the walk, everyone was invited to enjoy a free sausage sandwich, cupcakes and a cool drink — a lovely way to finish a fantastic day together.
HARDEN BRANCH – SUNDAY 31 AUGUST
Leanne walking with Ellie’s daughter Ivy
Harden came together for Ellie’s Walk, led by Ellie’s sister Leanne Schulz, the face of this year’s Can Do the Distance campaign.
Leanne walked an incredible 270km throughout August (10km for every year of Ellie’s life) finishing her challenge with the final 5km at the community walk. Leanne’s family were there to share the special day, alongside Ellie’s husband Paul and daughter Ivy.
Ellie’s daughter Ivy
Held at Harden oval, the walk brought around 70 people together on the day, with 50 people joining Leanne for her final 5km. The oval gave the community a wonderful place to come together, with people able to walk alongside Leanne, join at different points, or sit and watch and cheer her on.
Leanne has raised an incredible $4,036 for the Harden Branch, with the support of the local community. She got local businesses behind her challenge, with posters popping up around town and businesses finding their own ways to get involved. One local coffee shop even donated $1 from every coffee sold, raising an extra $68 for Can Assist over the month.
The Harden Branch supported Leanne throughout the organisation of the walk and on the day, as well as hosting a raffle to give locals another way to get involved and support the branch.
A local butcher generously donated the sausages for a fundraiser sausage sizzle, with Leanne’s husband taking charge of the BBQ while everyone came together after the walk.
It was a beautiful community celebration of Ellie’s life and Leanne’s incredible challenge, with local businesses, families, volunteers and friends all coming together to support Leanne and raise funds for people affected by cancer in their community.
Local Media:
Do it For Ellie: One Sister’s Dream Carried Out By Another – Twin Town Times
A huge thank you to every branch who gave Can Do the Distance a go this year, in whatever capacity they could.
