HAWKESBURY mother, Pembe Ogden, has the support of her friends to help raise money and awareness in the Winter Christmas Poker Run.
Mrs Ogden has struggled with the debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis for more than nine years. She was diagnosed after experiencing partial loss of vision, and things escalated from there.
“In April of 2016 I was on heavy chemotherapy,” she said.
“I never thought that my MS would lead to chemotherapy.”
Mrs Ogden’s friends came across the MS Great Australian Poker Run after reading an article in the Hawkesbury Courier, and contacted organisers of the event offering their support.
Event organiser Alex Ross said “Pembe’s friends came to us to see how they could get involved”.
Mr Ross said “luckily we have some great support from our sponsors, and together we managed to arrange a boat for the ladies to use at our Winter Christmas Run, on the Hawkesbury on August 20,” Mr Ross said.
“We were already excited to bring the Poker Run to Windsor and the Hawkesbury. We love how these local girls have embraced the poker run spirit.”
Mrs Ogden said she appreciated the assistance she’d received so far.
“I’ve had some tremendous help from MS Connect,” she said. The MS Great Australian Poker Run raises money that contributes directly to MS Connect and other MS services.
The poker run has previously been run from Wisemans Ferry, but this year will converge on Windsor on August 20 with hundreds of entrants expected to take part in the event.
It will be at Governor Phillip Park, which will include live music and other family fun.
In the poker run, boats take to the river and bikes to the road to solve clues and pick up cards.
They then return to Windsor for the poker competition and after-party.
Mr Ross said there will be 1000 free event tickets for the community to snap up closer to the date, for those who want to enjoy the event and live entertainment without entering the competition.
The group plans to raise $500,000 for MS research over the next three years by poker runs in different areas.
For those interested in taking part, visit the event website www.greatpokerun.com or the Facebook page ‘The Nautilus Marine Great Australian Poker Run supporting MS’.
Both sites will have updated information on the eventincluding how teams enter and how to get your hands on free community tickets.
To learn more about multiple sclerosis go to www.msaustralia.org.au.
