Our team is feeling very proud of our Director Andy Kirk for taking on a charity walk from Canberra to Sydney for the charity, Young Care.

You see not only does Andy run our practice, not only is he H&K Sydney's GM, and not only does he have four children, a wife and a dog...he is also a charity world-beater!

I have had a few people who have seen Andy on the TODAY show mention they are going to donate to the charity as a result of hearing about his effors, which is fantastic. So far the story has been featured on the Ten News weather with Tim Bailey and on the Alan Jones radio program. 

With nearly 6,500 young people residing in aged care nursing homes in Australia and many prone to isolation and depression, the issue of caring for these people is broad and complex, which partly explains why very little has been done in the past to address these issues.

Andy has joined David Sexton and Troy McPhee on the journey. They were not asked by Youngcare to initiate the walk, but were fuelled by their passion and personal relationship with young friends and family on the verge of requiring full time care and support due to debilitating illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis.
 

"I have someone very close to me who is in their 30's and in a position where they may be living in aged care shortly", said David Sexton. "When I saw the 60 Minutes story about Youngcare, it was astounding to know that so many other young Australians are either already living in aged care and that there are no facilities providing dignified lifestyles for these people."

To farewell the trio at Parliament House was David Conroy, Chairman of Youngcare, The Hon. Kate Ellis - Federal Minister for Youth & Sport, The Hon. Bill Shorten -Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, The Hon. Pat Farmer - Federal Member for Macarthur, The Hon. Alex Hawke - Federal Member for Mitchell and two Canberra Raiders Players, Joel Monaghan and Phil Graham.

With extensive support growing within the community and at government level, the team will walk for the next ten days and will finish on Friday, March 28th at the televised NRL game between the Parramatta Eels & Newcastle Knights at Parramatta Stadium. The walkers will also be accompanied on their last leg by Kristina Keneally, NSW Minister for Disability Services.

"I acknowledge the commitment that Youngcare and these three gentleman have demonstrated in raising awareness of the issue of young people in nursing homes, and providing appropriate supports and accommodation options", said Ms Keneally.

"It's important that Governments - at all levels - listen to and work with people with a disability and their families, non-government organisations and the community in general, to explore suitable accommodation options for young people in aged care facilities."  

Other high profile members of the community have also been inspired by the men's mission and have shown their commitment. Australian netballer Liz Ellis and David Gallop, National Rugby League CEO, will both be walking with the team at points during their journey.

"The attitude of the sufferers and their family members has inspired me to take part," said Liz Ellis. "One day walking is a small price to pay for potentially, a lifetime of benefit".

In addition to the increasing community and government support, Sage Software Australia - a leading supplier of business management software solutions, has come on board as the leading sponsor of the walk.

"Sage Software Australia is delighted to support the Youngcare Walk. There is a significant need for greater support and accommodation options for young people with high care needs. The Youngcare Walk is a fantastic first step to raise awareness and funds to tackle this important issue and a terrific opportunity for Sage to give something back to the community," said Alan Osrin, Managing Director of Sage Software Australia.

 
The first Youngcare Apartments in Sinnamon Park Brisbane opened on 8 December 2007. The Youngcare Walk team hope to raise enough funds to contribute to the development of similar accommodation in Sydney. At the conclusion of the walk, a Gala Dinner will be held on April 5th at The Hilton in Sydney.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the Gala dinner visit www.youngcarewalk.com.au