Walkers raise money for Bangladesh

Peter Ribes took part in the Ipswich Cares charity walk to raise money to provide fresh water to needy overseas villages.

Sarah Harvey

A DOZEN Ipswich residents have trekked 48km to raise money for a project that will provide clean drinking water to Bangladesh villages.

The walk from Rosewood to Springfield on Wednesday was an Ipswich Cares initiative to raise money for children’s poverty charity Compassion.

While some of the walking team, including Ipswich City Councillor David Morrison, have done the walk before, Peter Ribes was on his first trek.

Strange as it might sound, Springfield’s Coffee Club franchisee said he had thoroughly enjoyed the long walk and stopping to rattle the charity tins for donations.

“When you measure it out in 10km blocks, it’s not so bad – the only bad part is stopping, because your feet start to hurt,” Mr Ribes said.

“You don’t notice it as much when you’re still walking. But it’s for a good cause with some good company so it’s all worthwhile.”

Other business owners in the Ipswich region joined the walk, including staff from the Riverlink Westpac branch, a major sponsor, and Ipswich Cares.

Ipswich Cares and Compassion have teamed up for a number of international projects since 2007.

Cr Morrison said the walk was just one of the many fundraising efforts planned by Ipswich Cares during the month of September.

He said residents could contribute to the fund in many ways, including donating at money spinners and collection tins at local shopping centres or shopping at selected businesses.

Residents can also deposit tax-deductible donations to Bendigo Bank branches, or by cheque or online banking into the Ipswich Cares account.

For more details, visit www.ipswichcares.com.au.