Bendigo student Emma McMaster will be participating in the Bravehearts 777 Marathon where she will run in seven marathons across seven states over seven days to raise money to prevent child sexual assault in Australia.

“Whatever it will take to complete this in seven days is nothing compared to what a child experiencing sexual assault has to go through,” Ms McMaster said.

“I believe that all kids have the right to a healthy and happy childhood, Bravehearts works to make Australia the safest place to raise a child, trying to prevent child sexual assault.”

According to Bravehearts one in five children in Australia will be sexually harmed in some way before they reach their 18^th birthday.

The marathons will be held in Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney and on the Gold Coast. 

The marathons will commence at 7 am each day, and the runners will have six hours to complete them before they pack their bags and fly off to the next state. 

“It is going to be a very long week,” Ms McMaster said. “I’m in a bit of denial in terms of how long all the marathons are, I’ve been told its all mind over matter.”

“I’m kind of nervous, but also very excited for the challenge and it is not very often that you get presented with an opportunity like this.”

Ms McMaster is a social work student at Latrobe University in Bendigo and has deferred her first semester this year which has coincidentally given her more time to focus on preparations for the marathons.

“Training runs every morning and I mix it up with strength training in-between,” she said.

Ms McMaster will also be fundraising at the Bendigo Colour Run on Sunday March 24 at Lake Neangar.

For more information or if you would like to donate please follow the link below.

https://sna.etapestry.com/fundraiser/Bravehearts/777national/individual.do?participationRef=1225.0.1010725959