Natasha's Camino de Santiago marathon challenge for the Remote Laundries Project

Mission accomplished! 


800km in 14 days!! Well ahead of schedule.  AND… she smashed the fundraising target with $23,505 raised to date.

The campaign will remain open for anyone still wanting to support this incredible feat.

 

Hi, I’m Natasha!  A doctor from Darwin who has only ever run one marathon before. So, on September 24th I am challenging myself to run a marathon a day for 18 days unsupported (total 800kms!) from France to Spain along the Camino de Santiago (Francès) to raise money for Remote Laundries.

 

Remote Laundries is an Aboriginal-led organisation based in the Northern Territory, that works with remote communities to reduce scabies, skin infection and rheumatic heart disease through the simple yet brilliant intervention of making laundries free and accessible! They have 5 laundries so far and are aiming to expand to 72 across the Northern Territory.

 

This cause is personal to me as a footy (AFL) player for the Arnhem Crows, which are based in Barunga – the place where Remote Laundries first launched. This has had a clear and drastic impact, with a massive 60% reduction in scabies since inception!

 

At work I treat infants with scabies, inject screaming children with monthly antibiotics to prevent acute rheumatic fever and manage heart failure due to rheumatic heart disease in young adults. These conditions are all entirely preventable but we continue to see them at alarming rates in remote Aboriginal communities. So I thought I should challenge myself to do something about it. 

 

With your help I hope to raise $20,000+ to support the growth of Remote Laundries!

Social, health and economic benefits

The Remote Laundries Project produces three outcomes: improved health, improved local economy and improved quality of life. 

Improved health 

We know access to washing machines and dryers that work, good quality detergent and hot water reduces diseases of the skin because washing kills parasites and bacteria. 

Scabies infestations are a chronic and widespread issue in remote communities made worse by overcrowding, which is far too common in NT communities. Scabies leads to serious disease such as rheumatic heart disease and kidney disease. Tackling scabies is a powerful tool in improving the health of everyone but in particular children.  

Improved local economy 

Employing locals means the money stays in the community which helps to build a stronger local economy that better serves the whole community. 

Creating jobs in community is a key priority and is linked to our project goals. We’re proud of the high success we’ve had in recruiting, training and retaining staff. 

Improved quality of life 

We define an improved quality of life by the absence of disease – both primary conditions like painful skin sores and secondary like rheumatic heart disease and kidney disease. 

A reduction of medical conditions will become increasingly evident and the mid and long term benefits more obvious as the project matures.