Stepping Up for a Good Cause: Kate’s Bloody Long Walk

At Glenray, our team goes above and beyond every single day to support people living with disability, and sometimes, that commitment means taking on a 35-kilometre trek along Australia’s coastline. That was certainly the case recently for Glenray Support Coordinator, Kate Brown.

Since joining Glenray in August 2023, Kate has been a passionate advocate for participants across the Central West. Her day-to-day role involves navigating NDIS plans, liaising with therapists and service providers, writing reports, and stepping in whenever unexpected challenges arise.

What Kate values most are the face-to-face visits, and traveling across the Central West allows her to build strong relationships with participants and their families, ensuring their supports enhance their quality of life.

The Bloody Long Walk

Kate took her passion for advocacy off the clock by participating in the Sydney North Bloody Long Walk, an annual fundraiser challenging participants to walk 35km from Palm Beach to Manly. The event raises funds and awareness for mitochondrial disease (Mito), a rare genetic disorder that stops the body’s cells from making enough energy.

For Kate, the cause hit close to home. “More than 50% of the participants I coordinate are unable to independently complete everyday functional tasks,” Kate shared. “Being involved gave me an opportunity to contribute to raising awareness for a condition that can have such a significant impact on a person’s independence and quality of life.”

Mito often lacks obvious symptoms, meaning it can go undetected while severely impacting a person’s ability to perform essential tasks. Kate hopes events like this encourage more people to learn about the condition and support the research needed to find effective treatments and a cure.

Out on the grueling 35km track, through the fatigue and tough stretches, one simple mindset kept Kate moving forward “I don’t have to do this, I get to.”

She reflected on the reality that so many people worldwide, including many of the participants she supports every week, don’t have the physical option to undertake a walk like this. That shift in perspective turned every step into a moment of gratitude.

So far, Kate has raised almost $900 to fight mitochondrial disease, and we couldn’t be prouder to have Kate on the Glenray team. If you would like to donate to Kate’s walk, visit https://event.bloodylongwalk.com.au/fundraisers/katebrown133727