WHILE many community members will have the opportunity to express love and gratitude to the unsung heroes in their life on Mother’s Day, others will remember the legacy of a parent or grandparent they have sadly lost.
This Sunday, the Millicent Cancer Support Group will host its annual Mother’s Day walk as a way to raise money, celebrate and pay tribute to the special women in people’s lives.
For Emily Nettle, the event provides the opportunity to remember her mother, Anne-Marie, who passed away around 11 years ago after losing her battle with cancer.
Emily said it was amazing to see how many people band together and take time out of a special day like Mother’s Day to participate in the walk.
“It really shows how much cancer affects a community like Millicent and also how supportive the community is,” she said.
“Mum was always a very positive person and I know if she was here today she would be right there with everyone walking in the event to spread hope and inspire those suffering with the illness.
“For me, Mother’s Day is more of a reflection of my mum’s life and the good times we had together when she was still here.
“It is difficult to get through any day without thinking about her, but on Mother’s Day it is a little bit harder.”
Anne-Marie passed away five days before Emily’s 11th birthday on July 8, 2008, however she lives on through the memories Emily and many others cherish.
“I miss mum not being able to see me grow up and tell me that I am doing okay if I feel like I need help or direction,” Emily said.
“I miss not seeing her every day, her hugs were the most loving and comforting hugs in the world and her sarcastic remarks always made me crack up laughing.
“Growing older it gets harder not being able to ask her for advice or hear her tell stories about what she was like when she was my age.
“Thank you to all the step mums who have stepped into what I can imagine is an extremely difficult position to be in.”
Cancer support group vice-president Karla Werchon said the Mother’s Day walk brought people together in support of an important cause.
“Mother’s Day is a special day, some of us are lucky enough to spend it with our families and mums, however sadly others are not so lucky,” she said.
“Make sure you have a lovely day and I hope our event brings people together as we work towards finding a cure for cancer.”
Residents are invited to put on their running shoes and take part in the hour-long walk, starting at 9.30am at Jubilee Park, North Terrace on Sunday.
The two and four kilometre tracks are marked with quotes, jokes and informative facts about Millicent.
There will also be a raffle with a rose from McCourts Garden Centre, as well as a “lucky walker” prize.
Entry is $10 for adults and a gold coin for children, with all funds raised to be donated to the Millicent and District Hospital to purchase air mattresses and a chair for patients.
