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UPDATE: Bendigo Animal Welfare and Community Services volunteer Stef Walter’s homemade wings might not have carried her to the Moomba Birdman Rally top prize.
But they did earn her praise for creativity.
BAWCS cattery manager Liz Hill said Ms Walter won an award for most inventive craft for her Bird of Paradise costume, which was inspired by stained glass windows and took six months to create.
“It didn’t exactly fly,” Ms Hill said.
However, the campaign achieved its goal of raising money and awareness of BAWCS, which promotes itself as central Victoria’s only ‘no kill’ shelter.
In achieving her dream of competing in the Birdman Rally, Ms Walter raised more than $2300 for the organisation.
“We are really happy with that,” Ms Hill said.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to Stef, who bravely took on the challenge to raise awareness and much needed funds for the work we do.
“We would also like to thank each and every supporter who helped Stef raise $2,359.92 from the event.
“The funds raised will go to support the care of so many animals that come into our care every day, including those that are in crisis situations such as domestic violence.”
Ms Walter was among 15 participants in Sunday’s competition, which was decided by distance travelled.
Bonus points are awarded based on funds raised.
The Secret Life of Us and Rush actor Samuel Johnson’s leap for cancer charity Love Your Sister saw him take home this year’s trophy.
His campaign raised more than $25,000.
Aside from getting a taste for the water, Ms Hill said Ms Walter emerged from the Yarra unscathed.
“We had a great day,” Ms Hill said.
- with The Age
EARLIER: “Stef’s one of a kind,” Bendigo Animal Welfare and Community Services cattery manager Liz Hill said as she spoke of the 29-year-old volunteer.
“It’s not every day someone says they’re going to jump in the Yarra to raise money for you.”
Stefanie Walter is a psychiatric nurse who, for the past six months, has been working on a pair of wings.
The recreational pilot has long been fascinated by the Birdman Rally, a classic feature of the Melbourne Moomba Festival.
This year, she decided to put both her nerve and creativity to the test.
On Sunday, Ms Walter will launch herself off a four-metre platform and take flight over the Yarra River using a homemade costume.
She aims to raise money and awareness of the work of Bendigo Animal Welfare and Community Services, at which she has volunteered since moving to Bendigo two years ago.
So far, Ms Walter has raised almost $2000.
Her spectacular, giant wings are inspired by stained glass windows.
Asked whether she was concerned they would be destroyed by the feat, Ms Walter said she would be happy to be rid of them.
“They’ve been sitting on the lounge room floor for six months,” she said.
She said they started off small, and just grew.
Growth is also a word that applies to Bendigo Animal Welfare and Community Services.
“The need is definitely increasing,” Ms Hill said.
A central Victorian community crowdfunding campaign, the Big Give, helped the organisation build a barn in which to provide specialised care for farm animals.
BAWCS also has a new vet building, for which it received support from the state government.
The organisation promotes itself as central Victoria’s only ‘no kill’ shelter.
Ms Hill said BAWCS was providing sanctuary to more than 100 farm animals and 70 companion animals.
It also offers services such as pet boarding and emergency assistance.
Volunteers and donations are two resources BAWCS is always in need of.
Ms Hill said the organisation had about 30 volunteers.
The $5000 Ms Walter is seeking to raise through her Birdman Rally efforts would be “huge” for the organisation, Ms Hill said.
“We rely on donations from the public to be able to help animals,” she said.
The Birdman Rally starts at 11.30am on Sunday at the Yarra River in Melbourne, as part of the city’s Moomba Festival.
To support Ms Walter’s campaign, visit https://birdman2017.everydayhero.com/au/bawcs