Bank staff step up to support cerebral palsy
Bendigo Bank staff are aiming to do 10,000 steps a day in support of a fellow colleague whose four year old nephew has cerebral palsy.
Breeanna Isaacs's nephew Edward has a form of cerebral palsy that requires continuous genetic testing to determine and locate the possible cause.
More than 430 employees from across the Bank are doing the Steptember 10,000 steps a day challenge, to help raise money for essential therapy and equipment for people with cerebral palsy. Bendigo Bank Executive Customer Voice, Marnie Baker, paid tribute to the Bank's generous and community-minded employees.
"Our people understand the meaning of community, and how giving up our time can help others around us in need.
"This ethos is embraced by our people, and their willingness to literally step up to support a cause that is very close to a fellow employee,' Ms Baker said.
The average office worker takes 3000 steps a day but during September, Bendigo Bank's Steptember team members have individually committed to completing a minimum of 10,000 steps a day for 28 days straight.
"Not only will our staff be getting fit and active, but they will be learning a lot about cerebral palsy and how it affects children and adults,” Ms Baker said.
"This will be the third year our staff have supporting this worthwhile cause, and our 124 teams have already raised $3,961 before today's official launch of Steptember. For Breeanna Isaacs, the support from her colleagues is a little overwhelming.
"Edward is unable to walk and support his own weight, he has a twisted femur that will require surgery later in his life, as well as a condition called ‘baby feet', where his feet have not developed along with his age, Breeanna said.
"He also attends speech therapy every fortnight, where he has achieved incredible results thanks to his amazing therapist and the help of the government's better start funding, she said.
"Edward will be participating in a TheraSuit program in Adelaide during September - a cutting edge therapeutic technique for the treatment of Cerebral Palsy.
"The cost of the program is just short of $6000 with $1000 of this rebated through Medicare. His family then have the additional cost of travel and accommodation, Breeanna said.
"Like any parent, Edward's parents just want what's best for their little boy, to walk on his own for the first time, walk next to his mum holding her hand, or walk his sister to school holding her hand.
"These are the dreams we have for Edward.
"I'm so proud of my fellow colleagues committing to Steptember, and I urge their friends and family to sponsor them along the way.
Every dollar raised makes a huge difference to thousands of people who suffer from cerebral palsy, including Edward.”
