For Sunbury resident and daughter of Air Force mechanic, Errel Gray, 2023 represents an important year and an opportunity to give back to a cause close to her heart.
Ms Gray has been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to carry this year’s Legs for Legacy torch, which left Pozeiers in France on Anzac Day.
Legs for Legacy is a fundraising effort to provide financial, emotion and social support for veterans’ families.
For Ms Gray, Legacy provided this support when her father died after returning from World War II.
“When my father died my mother had four children under eight and a farm to run. She knew absolutely nothing except raising children and cooking,” she said. “That’s where Legacy came into play.”
A legatee regularly began visiting the farm to support the family.
Ms Gray said the support meant the children were able to go on holidays and have Christmas parties with other families who had been similarly affected.
“In later years, Legacy supported us as we left home and ventured to Melbourne to study, find housing and further our careers. If not for Legacy, our lives would have been very different.
“I am very grateful to Legacy for all they do for all families, and to call myself a junior legatee.
“I am going to be very honoured, humbled and extremely emotional on the day running with the torch held high in the memory of my father.”
Ms Gray will complete her torch run on September 19, in Ballarat, and is focusing on fundraising as much as possible in the lead up.
Details: www.legsforlegacy.com.au/fundraisers/ErrelGray
