By Olivia Condous
One of Digger’s Rest youngest community members is inspiring others to step up to raise awareness and funds for cerebral palsy.
Willow Kemp is the 9-month-old daughter of Diggers Rest Primary School teacher Bradley Kemp and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after she was born.
The school community is taking part in the STEPtember fundraiser run by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, in support of Willow and to raise awareness about the disability.
Mr Kemp said the school had embraced the fundraising challenge.
“We feel it’s like a really good opportunity as a school just to be inclusive, to learn about different illnesses and disabilities,” he said.
“So hopefully with that awareness… we feel like we create that broader and more engaging community spirit amongst everyone.”
For STEPtember, each class at the school will use a pedometer to track their daily steps at recess and lunch time in a competition to reach the highest step count, all while raising money to support those affected by cerebral palsy.
At the centre of the inspiration for the school’s fundraiser is Willow, who Mr Kemp said “smiles all the time”.
“The resilience and things that she’s had to overcome is probably more than what some people would go through in a lifetime, she’s a trooper,” he said.
Mr Kemp said his family was very grateful for all those in the community who were supporting the cause.
“People are amazing, in times of need for people in the community… people step up.”
