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NAB's Paul Batfay and his cousin Geoff Davidson are two men who like to take life in their stride. When contemplating how they could make a meaningful contribution to the fight against cancer, the two adventurous cousins decided to put their bodies on the line and walk the 325km journey from Canberra to Sydney.
Far from being a walk in the park, the NAB Davidson Batfay Walk Against Cancer will take the two football mad cousins on a gruelling 10 day journey, and NAB Academy's Paul Batfay is only too aware of how long the walk will be.
"It's definitely going to be a challenge, but I am really looking forward to seeing the sights and meeting the communities along the way," says Davidson.
Almost fittingly, the journey will conclude on the biggest day of the football calendar, at the NRL Grand Final On Oct 5th.
"We are both really excited to undertake this challenge, and being involved with the NRL Grand Final is huge thrill. But at its heart the walk against cancer is about raising funds and awareness for the Cancer Council of Australia," says Davidson.
The journey is also of special significance for the cousins. Like many Australians,
Batfay and Davidson have been personally touched by cancer, having lost their grandmother to the disease in 1992. The tragedy has made the pair more determined to help fight the disease in any way they can.
"The walk against cancer isn't solely about raising money, it is something we are doing in memory of all those people have lost someone to cancer," says Davidson
"We have started an honours list, in which anyone can add the name of someone they have lost to cancer who would like to be remembered as part of this walk. We are walking for everyone who has ever been diagnosed or has known someone diagnosed with cancer," says Batfay.
The pair have received great community support so far, and hope that once they journey starts, more people will want to get involved along the way.
"The level of community support has been overwhelming. We have received so much support and acknowledgement from so many different people within the community. We are very thankful," says Davidson.
To farewell the pair on their big walk, NAB Business Banking Centre (BBC) in Canberra is holding a launch party on Thursday 25th September. Attending the function will be members of Federal Parliament and the Canberra Raiders NRL team.
"It is truly great to have this level of support. It just shows the magnitude of the effect of cancer in the lives of Australians, and the amount of people willing to lend a hand," says Davidson.
Sausage sizzles and other functions will be held at NAB branches along the way including:
NAB Canberra Branch & BBC - 4.00pm Thursday 25th September - Official launch function with Cancer Council reps and Federal MPs
NAB Dickson Branch - 11.45am Friday 26th September - Sausage Sizzle
NAB Goulburn Branch & BBC - 9.30am Monday 29th September - Bacon & Eggs sizzle
NAB Mossvale Branch
NAB Bowral Branch
NAB Mittagong Branch - 8.00am 2nd October - Bacon & Eggs sizzle
NAB Campbelltown Branch & BBC
NAB Liverpool Branch & BBC
For more information contact Paul Batfay from NAB Academy on 0429 66 5578
For more details on the walk and towns they are visiting along the way, visit www.walkagainstcancer.com
To make a donation, you can make an Internet transfer to the account
below -
Bank: NAB
BSB: 082-140
Account Number: 822744957
Account Name: Davidson Batfay Walk Against Cancer
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