While most of us are looking forward to some sleep ins and relaxing days at the beach over the Christmas break, one young Adelaide man is set to run from Adelaide to the MCG in Melbourne, to raise funds and awareness for a charity close to his heart.
19-year-old apprentice Jackson has seen first-hand the difference a See Differently assistance dog has made. His dad Matt is an Australian war veteran of 4 operational deployments and 20 years’ service in the Australian Armed Forces and who has personally required the services after suffering PTSD. His assistance dog Laney has made a huge difference to Matt and the whole family.
“We all love Laney and the impact she’s had on Dad and the whole family has been immeasurable. I wanted to give back to the program which has helped us so much. Running is my other great passion, so I thought the run to Melbourne was a great way to combine the two,” Jackson said.
Jackson is departing from the Adelaide hills (Anembo Park, North Terrace, Mount Barker SA 5251) at 8am Friday 22nd December and is expected to arrive at the MCG 14 days and 750km later on the 4th January. He’ll be supported during his journey by his dad and support team.
The See Differently OPK9 Program has been running for 9 years and has helped nearly 60 veterans and their families by providing a highly trained assistance dog and ongoing support. See Differently’s Guide and Assistance Dog School also supports South Australians who are blind with guide dogs and provides animal therapy for autistic children.
See Differently’s Executive Manager for Marketing and Fundraising, Sally Raphael, said the demand for the OPK9 program is strong and there are many more veterans that need support.
“We breed, care and train the dogs ourselves, with the help of volunteers. They are incredible animals, but the upfront cost is significant, and a lot of our funding comes from incredible businesses and individuals who support us. We are wishing Jackson the best of luck for his run and are extremely grateful for his support of the OPK9 Program. We hope he enjoys running through Keith on Christmas day too!” Sally said.
Donations can be made to Jackson’s Go Fund Me Page: www.gofundme.com/f/jackson-750km-run
For more information about the OPK9 Program: https://www.seedifferently.org.au/opk9
