Bexley’s Belinda Boston will take on a mammoth challenge in June – running seven marathons, in seven days, across seven states.
She decided to take part in the gruelling Bravehearts 777 event this year to raise awareness about child sexual abuse, of which she is a survivor.
“I want to keep the conversation going and help prevent other Australian children from suffering the harmful effects of child sexual assault,” she said.
“It’s important to me as a survivor to stop this happening to other children and to give victims the courage to speak out about abuse.”
She said it was also going to be a good, personal test. “It’s also a personal challenge to see if I can push myself and make it.”
Ms Boston said strangers had come up to her in the street and shared their stories after hearing she was raising awareness about child sexual abuse. “One good thing from this is I have seen complete strangers come up to me and tell me their stories, and that has been empowering for them.”
The Bravehearts organisation exists to prevent child sexual assault in Australia. Ms Boston has been training since October last year and hopes to raise $10,000 for Bravehearts.
She has already raised over $5000.
She said she had only done two marathons in the past but hoped, with the right training, she would be able to complete the challenge. She said a good friend, Margaret Melkie, did the challenge last year which helped inspire her to give it a crack this year.
Ms Boston is being trained by running coach Victor Paciocco, from Natura Fitness.
She will join 46 other participants from across Australia from June 26 to July 2 to attempt the seven marathons in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, Kingscliff and the Gold Coast.
To support her you can donate online by going to the Bravehearts 777 website. Scroll down to ‘find a national runner’ and type in Bel Boston.
A fund raiser is also being held at Cronulla Central on March 23, with those interested in running encouraged to attend The Running Movement talk starting at 7pm. Ms Boston is being supported by her team mates Sam McCauliffe, Kevin Whitley and Melkie.