Wauchope mother Samantha Chapman has raised an awesome $3,000 for a charity which helps her and her family.
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Two of Samantha’s three children are on the autism spectrum and she can’t thank Aspect enough for supporting her and her family on their journey.
”They were the first professionals to stop and ask me how I was coping after my son Carter was diagnosed. I cried and vented on the phone to this poor woman for three hours and I was all the better for it,” she said.
“I have personally seen the immense difference Aspect make to families so when I was invited to join their Charity Superstars Team I didn't hesitate.
Samantha says her amazing person trainer, Ell, got her started on a couch to 5km program and she and other local mums trained every week. She also got involved in the Port Macquarie and Wauchope parkruns.
“Parkrun has become a favourite for me. The atmosphere is amazing. It's such a supportive environment. You are clapped and cheered no matter what your place or pace.
“I even had one amazing Wauchope woman over to run intervals with me because I was struggling with motivation one morning. I'd highly recommend it to anyone,” she recalled.
During City2surf, Samantha’s kids and parents were at home in Wauchope cheering her on the live feed. Her close friend, Laura was texting encouraging messages.
She said her husband and brother were eagerly awaiting her finish and her close friend, Brooke was behind her for support, and her fellow Aspect runners.
“They came from all over and each had their own stories. It was so incredible that total strangers were instant friends. I was standing in Hyde Park by myself when another Aspect shirt appeared and then another and in the end, I was jumping up and down flagging lost Aspect runners down,” said Samantha.
“It was incredible. I did go in with an injury from training so I was slower than I hoped for but I still managed it in 2 hours and 51min! The atmosphere though was amazing.
“There were kids that had baked biscuits for runners, people hosing hot runners and handing out water, people playing instruments and cheering. It was just an amazing vibe.”
Samantha says that for five hours, over 80,000 people were united, and she had ASD parents run past and pat her on the back and thank her for what Aspect had done for them.
“I must say, though, my favourite moment was when we arrived home Sunday night, and I walked in with my medal around my neck and my three kids and my mum all stood and clapped as I walked up the hall and my five-year-old son, Carter said: ‘We are so proud of you, Mum.’”
Samantha is thrilled to have raised over $3,000 for Aspect, including through an online auction on Facebook with items from local businesses and some from Sydney and WA.
“I couldn't believe the response I received when I put the call out for donations and I want to thank all the businesses that got involved,” she said.
Wauchope Preschool and Kindergarten hosted a "Beach to Bush" week where they asked for a gold coin donation. All the kids including Samantha’s daughter, Cienna came dressed in blue and ran an obstacle course in the playground in support of the big run.
“I can't thank Sonia and the team enough for all their support not just during this fundraising but during both of our diagnosis periods. I had a goal of $1,000 but with the community behind me, I absolutely smashed it.
“I get a lump in my throat and my eyes well up every time I think about it! I'm so incredibly proud of myself and thankful to everyone who was involved. It's a life changing experience,” said Samantha.