Harcourts Rockingham joins forces with Mandurah office for May 50k Challenge

Harcourts Rockingham will be joining forces with their Mandurah counterparts and walk from Mandurah to Rockingham to raise money for multiple sclerosis. Staff from both regional offices will set out on the 32km journey on May 4, as part of the annual May 50k challenge. The May 50K is a fitness challenge encouraging Australians to run or walk 50km throughout May to help raise funds for life-changing MS research. It follows Harcourts Rockingham’s successful walk last year led by office manager Joanne Bailey after her mother was diagnosed with MS in 2005. Ms Bailey said this year’s walk would be even more special. “My mum’s actually going to join us for the last leg of the walk with her chair,” she said. “She’s one of the main reasons why we’re doing it, as well as a colleague’s son who has also been diagnosed with MS.” Multiple sclerosis is a disease which affects the central nervous system, the immune system attacking the protective layer around nerve fibres, making it difficult for the brain to send signals to the rest of the body. There is currently no cure. According to MS Australia, more than 33,000 Australians are currently living with multiple sclerosis, with the average age of diagnosis between 20 and 40 years old. Ms Bailey said about eight staff members would join her for the entire walk, which will take between six and eight hours with two resting points at Singleton and Warnbro Shopping Centre. The walk will end at Harcourts in Rockingham located at Shop 12/5-7 Railway Terrace, with a barbecue lunch to celebrate. Members of the public are also welcome to join Harcourts at any point during the walk to show their support. So far, the Harcourts team has already raised $844 of their $5000 goal, despite the fundraising period not officially starting until May 1. To make a donation, visit themay50k.org or to join in the walk, email jobailey520@gmail.com.