Kyneton Cup Day holds particular significance for former local resident Nathan Elms (‘Elmsy’) and even more so this year.
The 19-year-old will be walking onto the Kyneton Racecourse for the last leg of his Caulfield to Kyneton Walk for Prostate Cancer.
Nathan is making the 105km effort for his father who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and will donate all proceeds to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
“Dad’s diagnosis was a huge shock to me. He’s also had a lot of ups and downs with his treatment and it has been a pretty rough time,” Nathan said.
“By doing this walk, I wanted to raise awareness of prostate cancer and to get people to donate to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.”
Nathan will make the walk wearing a blue race tunic – the colour associated with prostate awareness during the month of November.
The finishing post is significant for Nathan who works with horses in Caulfield and formerly worked at the Kyneton club – which is in full support of his fundraiser.
Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club operations manager Lisa Evans said the club had pledged $500 towards the cause and would also support the walk through advertising in its racebook.
“This is a fabulous initiative and it’s supporting a good cause and raising awareness,” she said.
Along the way, Nathan expects to stop in at a Woodend pub to watch the Melbourne Cup and then make his way into Kyneton for Cup Day where he plans to walk a lap of the racing track between two early races to complete his journey.
Nathan has already raised more than $200 towards his $5000 target. For details, visit the Facebook page ‘Elmsy Walk for Prostate’.
