Darkan women raise nearly $20,000 on behalf of 11-year-old Zara Horley and the Ronald McDonald House Charity

A group of friends from Darkan have raised nearly $20,000 after completing a 42km walk for Zara Horley, who is battling leukemia in Ronald McDonald House in Perth. Zara, 11, was diagnosed with leukemia on Boxing Day last year and is currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House with her mother Melanie Horley while she receives chemotherapy. When Melanie’s friends Vanessa Cuthbert, Stacey Putland, Sam Tooke and Adele Lubcke found out about Zara’a diagnosis they felt the need to help in some way. The group decided to form “Team Zara” and take part in the “Up All Night” fundraiser — a 42km walk through the streets of Perth at night— to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities WA. The Perth-based fundraiser was scheduled to take place on March 12 but was postponed until November because of the surge in COVID-19 cases. The group of four women decided to go ahead with the walk, swapping the city streets for the country roads around Darkan on Saturday morning. “Having your best friend and her daughter going through this battle and with COVID-19 restrictions of no visitors, we felt like we owed it to the family to go ahead with the walk despite it being postponed,” Ms Cuthbert said. “Melanie was hoping to come down but they spoke to Zara’s oncologist and they said she can’t be more than 20 minutes from the hospital. . . as Zara starts her third round of chemo (on Monday). “We FaceTimed them and there was a lot of emotion and a lot of crying at the end of the walk as we crossed the finish line.” The Ronald McDonald House in Perth provides families with a place to stay that is close to the hospital while their children undergo treatment. The charity is especially important for country families who often have to travel long distances for their children’s treatment. When Team Zara was first formed the group had the goal of raising $3000 for the charity and nine weeks later they have raised nearly $20,000. The walkers dressed up in glow-in-the-dark tutus and collected donations from locals along the mammoth walk around Darkan. Ms Cuthbert they were blown away by the community’s support. “We are so thankful that we are in such a supportive community,” she said. “It’s amazing how people rally around those in need. “It’s just been awesome, we are just blown away by peoples support.” The Darkan community has also rallied behind the Horley family by helping them finish last year’s harvest and shearing. To donate to Team Zara, visit https://www.upallnight.org.au/fundraisers/teamzara.