Paddle power for a good cause
by Andrew Lees
Everyone
has a friend who can be counted on to help out when times are tough.
But not many of us can say we have a friend willing to paddle 650km to help our family. That’s because we’ve never met Andrew Stace.
The international studies student has just completed the arduous journey from Berri to the Murray Mouth, raising more than $12,000 in donations along the way. The 17-day adventure saw him in the water for six to 12 hours a day, all in aid of a seven- month-old who has Krabbe’s Disease, an inherited motor neuron disorder with no known cure.
“Jeremy is the son of some close friends of mine,” said Stace. “I had been thinking of something to do to help, and virtually over a cup of coffee I said I’d kayak down the Murray for their son. At first they were a bit hesitant because it was new to them that their son is terminally ill. But I left it with them, came back and they loved the idea.”
Stace, an outdoor education instructor for local adventure company Accompany Outdoors, said kayaking was the best way for him to raise not only money through sponsorship, but awareness through example.
“Kayaking is something I’ve been doing a lot of this year, and I realised I needed a journey behind me – a reason for getting out there. I teach kayaking and rock climbing, so that was an easier way for me to raise money than just going up and asking people.”
But awareness is more important than money for Stace.
“Death’s not something people like to talk about, and when you’re dealing with kids who are so innocent, it’s that much harder,” he said.
“A lot of these kids won’t lead a good life and people don’t want to talk about it. This trip is as much about raising awareness as it is giving people money.”
The money will go to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Palliative Care Unit.
Unit nurse Kate Hernandez was “overwhelmed” by Stace’s generosity. “I don’t think we’ve ever had anything like this,” she said. “It’s amazing – he just said ‘this is what I’m doing’, and went right ahead. What a fantastic friend.”