There was great support by local businesses and groups who participated in the Diabetes Awareness walk.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The joint efforts of the Lions Club of Yarrawonga and the Lions Club of Lake Mulwala to host their inaugural walk for diabetes awareness was a fantastic success with more than 70 people and two dogs taking part.
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The event which was held at the Yarrawonga Showgrounds on Saturday saw the weather stay calm, although cool, which provided cloud cover for the many locals who came along and took part in the walk while the support from local businesses and professionals was amazing and very much appreciated.
Diabetes is one of Lions International’s global causes where Lions clubs of Australia are working to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve the lives of those living with the disease.
An estimated 463 million adults across the world are living with diabetes, and its prevalence is increasing rapidly with one in five people above the age of 65 also having diabetes.
Lions Club of Yarrawonga President Joan Tufvesson said the inaugural event was a great success with nearly 500 laps recorded.
“A total of 280km was walked which equates to approximately 459 laps of the oval and will go towards Lions “Lap the Map”, where Lions clubs around the world record the number of distances walked,” Ms Tufvesson said.
Credentialed Diabetes Educator Janet Lagstrom was on hand with information and advice on preventing diabetes.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
“Halfway around the oval a ‘pit stop’ was provided where snacks, fresh fruit and bottled water were handed out. “At the final pit stop, which was held at the Yarrawonga Lions Wool Pavilion, a selection of diabetic friendly food was cooked and given to walkers.
“Lion Ollie Tufvesson and Lions friend Dave Shell cooked and served chilli con carne with yoghurt and corn chips and wholemeal pancakes with yoghurt, mixed berries, and sugar free maple syrup,” Secretary of the Lions Club of Lake Mulwala Helen White added.
“There was carrot and celery sticks with hummus and a selection of low sugar and low carb muesli bars, and of course tea and coffee. All this was included in the $10 registration fee.
“All these products were generously donated by Woolworths and Midland Fresh and we thank them greatly.”
Advice was also given free of charge by Credentialed Diabetes Educator Janet Lagstrom, Practising Dietitian at Yarrawonga Health Liza Black, Optometrists Sandra Heaney and Andrew Banks and Lions District Diabetes Chairperson Robyn Harrison.
Optometrists Andrew Banks and Sandra Heaney also provided advice.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Posters with QR codes were also placed on the fence which when scanned took you to a website that had relevant diabetes information.
Bunnings Activity Co-Ordinator Tim Roadley provided craft for the children as it was International Bee Day.
Lion Secretary Debbie Van Corler helped Tim cook and give away pizza demonstrating how to make the delicious food with the stone-baked pizza oven which Bunnings had donated as a raffle prize. The raffle was drawn at the end of the walk with Chris Horne being the lucky recipient, he even got free lessons on how to use it and manage to have a taste test.
Bunnings Activity Co-Ordinator Tim Roadley and Lions Club of Yarrawonga Secretary Deb Van Corler made pizza’s to giveaway.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
All funds raised from the registration and sale of raffle tickets will go towards prevention, awareness, and research in the fight against diabetes with money being forwarded to Lions Australia Diabetes Foundation.
“Without volunteers and sponsors these events could not happen - so a very big thank you to everyone involved in this event,” Ms Tufvesson said.
