Around 400 West Wallsend High School students and teachers will take on a 13km trek to the summit of Mount Sugarloaf this week, raising money for Newcastle-based Breast Cancer Trials.
The school’s Cancer Sux walk will return on Friday 4 September, continuing a tradition that began 17 years ago after a staff member was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Since then, the West Wallsend school community has raised about $80,000 for cancer charities across the region.
This year’s walk carries particular significance for deputy principal Michael Chandler, whose wife Renee has recently undergone treatment for breast cancer.
The 48-year-old mum-of-two was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer in December after an MRI detected the cancer.
Following surgery in January and 15 rounds of radiation, Renee has completed treatment and returned to work.
She also took part in Breast Cancer Trials’ Big Bold Walk earlier this year, walking 100km and raising $3,417 while undergoing treatment.
“I’m feeling good in myself now,” Renee said.
“I will be forever grateful to my GP for referring me to the breast clinic, and to the breast specialist for sending me for an MRI.”
Mr Chandler said the annual Mount Sugarloaf walk had become an important part of school life.
“Students from Years 7 to 12 look forward to taking part in what is now an embedded tradition at the school,” he said.
“As well as the obvious benefits to the charities we’ve supported, it’s a real focus point for bringing the students together in fun, common purpose.”
Breast Cancer Trials CEO Karen Price said the school had made a significant contribution to cancer research and services in the Hunter over many years.
“The contributions that the students and teachers at West Wallsend High School, past and present, have made to cancer research and services in the Hunter region is nothing short of phenomenal,” she said.
The walk will leave West Wallsend High School at 9.45am on Friday, with students expected to reach the summit of Mount Sugarloaf at about 11am before making the return journey.
More news stories:
- Hunter bricklayer urges more women to pick up the tools
- More than 130 students enrol at new Medowie High School
- Dumplings and DJ land at D’Vine Festival
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here
