EVERYTHING Caidyn Hayes loves about her mum Kylie will be evident during the pair's involvement in Wangaratta's Mother's Day Classic on Sunday.
"She's spending her Mother's Day helping me volunteer; if you ask her to do something, she will do it at 150 per cent, and she also likes to support her community and help others," Caidyn said.
Most importantly, Kylie and Caidyn will have a chance to spend time together as they walk/run the 3km section of the course and volunteer at the event, which has returned to Wangaratta after a number of years.
Participants walking or running the 3km, 5km or 10km stretch of the course beginning at the Wangaratta Rodeo Ground from 9.30am on Sunday will be raising awareness and funds for research into breast and ovarian cancer.
Organised by locals Gracie Reid and Chantelle West and supported by the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre, the event is open to all ages, with prams and four-legged friends welcome.
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Those taking part are encouraged to dress in pink or purple if they wish, in accordance with the twin causes, and there will be spot prizes for best-dressed entrants.
So far, more than 150 people have registered to take part, and more are expected to join the gathering in Sunday's predicted fine weather, to kick off their Mother's Day in an active, community-focused way.
Caidyn said the dual causes of the Mother's Day Classic were close to her family's collective heart, with a family friend having recently finished treatment for breast cancer, and her dad, Ben, having lost his own mum to ovarian cancer the year Caidyn was born; Ben will also be volunteering on Sunday.
Caidyn said Sunday's walk/run was a chance to raise both awareness and funds for cancer research on what is a very special day.
"I think it's a good reminder that mums sacrifice a lot - that's why we celebrate Mother's Day - and through all those sacrifices made and love given by mothers, many women are also plagued by these diseases," she said.
"It's a good chance to recognise that, and to show support for all the mothers, and people who are like mothers, for all they do for us.
"You can acknowledge Mother's Day in whatever way you wish, but it's nice to be able to do it in this way - it's something different."
Kylie said she was impressed that the event had been revived in Wangaratta by young women eager to bring locals together for a great cause.
"It's inspiring to see young people organising it and wanting to support their community," she said.
Organiser Chantelle's mother, Elvie West, said she would complete the 3km course pushing Chantelle's 15-month-old daughter Giovanna in the pram as, like many families, hers had a connection to the cause.
"The BRCA2 gene is in our family - my son and youngest daughter have the gene," she said.
Elvie said if people knew they carried the gene, it could be possible to eliminate it from a family line through careful testing and treatment, so events like the Mother's Day Classic were a chance to raise awareness, and much-needed research funds to identify possibilities such as this.
"That was my main reason for taking part, as well as to volunteer on the day - to get awareness out there about the BRCA2 gene, so that people can learn more and understand it," Elvie said.
"Also, my mother-in-law had ovarian cancer; there are not many families who are not touched by cancer."
Anyone seeking to register for Sunday's event can visit https://bit.ly/3GvyuZl
Registrations can also be made on the day, and there will be coffee and refreshments available at the start/finish line for participants and spectators.
A number of stalls, featuring everything from pottery and photography to tea, honey, jam and sensory products, will be stationed at the start/finish line, enabling participants and those attending to purchase Mother's Day gifts from local vendors.
A raffle is also under way in conjunction with the event, and $2 tickets can be purchased from WSAC for the chance to win one of up to 10 great prizes donated by local businesses.
The Mother's Day Classic began in 1998 with events in Melbourne and Sydney; 27 years later, participants line up across Australia to stand together and start their Mother's Day with purpose, showing support for a cause that affects so many.
Since 1998, $46.1 million has been donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and $1.2 million to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.
