The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys’ Field of Dreams program, supported by Southern Cross Austereo, will make it possible for 30 Endeavour Foundation clients and carers to celebrate the launch of the Walk and Talk program by being special guests at 1300SMILES Stadium tomorrow night.
Walk and Talk is an innovative, interactive fitness program aimed at improving physical activity and social engagement of people with a disability.
It pairs community volunteers (walking buddies) with people with a disability (participants), with Buddies and Participants walking together for at least 30 minutes a week in their local area.
The program, run by Endeavour Foundation and developed in conjunction with The University of Queensland’s Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, is designed to enhance the health and wellbeing of everyone who takes part and develop stronger community relationships.
Supporting the Walk and Talk initiative, Cowboys NRL squad member Ricky Thorby and 4TOFM breakfast announcer Steve Price today joined some of the Endeavour participants for a walk around the training field at Cowboys HQ.
“Making a difference in the life of a person with a disability and getting some exercise at the same time – I love it,” Thorby said.
“Walk and Talk is a fantastic initiative for the Cowboys and Southern Cross Austereo to be able to get behind with our Field of Dreams program.”
Since it started, Field of Dreams has given more than 2000 special individuals the opportunity to attend a Cowboys home game to watch their heroes live in action at 1300SMILES Stadium.
“Each game day, one of our Field of Dreams sponsors donates 30 home game tickets to charity in recognition of their valuable contributions to our local community,” Cowboys community relations manager Fiona Pelling said.
“Southern Cross Austereo's generous support for the program means that everyone attending the game will get to learn about and celebrate the establishment of the Endeavour Foundation’s Walk and Talk initiative.”
Endeavour Foundation’s North Queensland area committee chairman Brian Fanning said Walk and Talk was a simple and free way to get people working together to ensure that people with a disability are active and involved in the community.
“Everyone from students and retirees to corporate professionals are invited to volunteer,” Mr Fanning said.
“Walk and Talk volunteers come from all walks of life - university students, corporate professionals, stay-at-home parents and more – and have found they get a buzz from being involved in their local community, along with the physical and mental health benefits that come from a regular half-hour walk.”
To find out more, call 1800 634 040 or email volunteering@endeavour.com.au.
