THE Bridgewater community is preparing to gather for the first time in more than a year, as it looks to the annual Mothers' Day Classic.
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It's the 12th near-consecutive year Bridgewater residents have stepped out to walk, run or jog for breast cancer, with only a break during the COVID-19 crisis.
Organiser Claire Harrison said the breast cancer charity was close to everyone's hearts. She said Bridgewater had been one of the first regional communities in Australia to ask to run a Mothers' Day Classic.
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To stay within restrictions, participants will meet at the Bridgewater Hotel for breakfast, then walk, jog or run along the Loddon River. Afterwards, they'll return to the pub for morning tea.
Mrs Harrison said the set up meant everyone involved could socially distance.
She said the event normally took place at the footy oval, with a big plate of morning tea and pancakes.
But Mrs Harrison said she was keen to get the event going again, after being forced to cancel in 2020.
"At the end of the day it's just about people gathering and coming together and supporting breast cancer awareness," she said.
"It doesn't matter what we do, so long as we can gather and get together and raise some funds."
Mrs Harrison said the Mothers' Day Classic would be Bridgewater's first big community event since COVID-19 restrictions shut Victoria down.
She encouraged Bridgewater residents to attend, joking that after 2020 she couldn't see a reason why anyone wouldn't want to get out.
"It's just really great to bring everyone back together again in a positive way, through fitness, just to socialise again and reconnect as a community," Mrs Harrison said.
Running around Australia, the Mothers' Day Classics aim to raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness of the disease.
Local survivor of breast cancer Robyn Vella will share her story during the event.
Mrs Vella said she wanted to create awareness among both women and men to keep an eye on their breasts. She said sharing her story also helped with her recovery and mental health.
"I like to be able to create awareness for those younger people, don't take your life for granted," she said.
"It doesn't matter who it is, we need to create awareness of our bodies. Just don't think a lump, or something going on in your body, it'll be okay. You need to take your health into your own hand.
"I don't want people to go through the same experience that I've had, even though I've had the best of care from all health providers."
The Mothers Day Classic will run on Sunday May 9, register at: mothersdayclassic.com.au/.
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