trek for cause

A Busselton mother will walk 42km next month to raise money and awareness for families with sick children in WA.

Her trek comes as part of the Day Dreamers walking challenge by Ronald McDonald House Charities WA, which aids more than 400 South West families with seriously ill or injured children every year.

Shantal Barr has stayed more than 257 nights at the charity’s housing complex in Perth over 22 different stays for her daughter, Aria Botting, 4, who was diagnosed in 2019 with a rare kidney cancer called Wilms’ tumour.

Ms Barr said RMH had been a supportive home away from home during Aria’s treatment.

“The House has helped my family by providing a safe, welcoming and reliable place to stay,” she said.

On average, 2000 WA families access accommodation and support services from RMH every year.

Ms Barr said RMH took the pressure off finding accommodation and money during a difficult time.

“The Day Dreamers walk means a lot. Without the funding from it or other initiatives, there wouldn’t be a place of support for people like myself and other families who are still going through a big tragedy in their life,” she said.