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Sharon Runs For NECA

By Sharon Rickard

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I've created this page for my running event - Run Larapinta.

I am raising money for Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia.
I will be completing a 4 day run through the heart of Australia from  the 15 – 18 August 2025. It will take place at the Larapinta Trail in the MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs, NT. Think steep sided, red rocky gorges often with waterholes at the bottom, rocky ridge tops with amazing views to the edge of the earth, dry savannah country filled with wildflowers, wide valleys with steeps rocky mountain ridges and summits all around... 
Initially we were planning a road trip starting from Wallan, Vic to Alice Springs, NT, then back again. However, we came across some deals on flights recently and snapped them up! 
My aim is to raise funds and awareness for Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia. Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia is the only non-for-profit medical charity providing support to Australians living with neuroendocrine cancers.
I was diagnosed in 2015. However, unlike many I was diagnosed promptly, put on the right treatment path with the medical team needed and continue monitoring to be able to say 'no evidence of disease.' I truly want there to be more like me that can say these things. The average time for a person to receive a Neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis is still 5 years, meaning 60% are advanced and many have secondary growths at the time of diagnosis (stage 4 cancer).
Any donations are greatly appreciated. The more people that know about Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia, the greater their impact, so please also spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family.
I've been lucky enough to welcome 2 corporate sponsors on board (details in below blogs).  
Thank you for taking an interest in my story and fundraising event. If you are able to make a donation of any size it would be very much appreciated.


Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$2,500

My Goal

$2,500

Select amount to donate

$10
Print and send a NET patient booklet to patients and hospitals around the country.
$25
Print and send a suite of NET patient booklets to newly diagnosed patients.
$50
Provides telephone support through our specialist NET Nurse helpline.
$100
Will help provide online resources for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
$250
Helps facilitate Living with NETs online patient workshops.
$500
Directly contributes to a NET Patient forum, educating and connecting NET patients in each state of Australia.
$1000
Allows us to help fund life changing research in to NETs via the Planet Registry App.

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My Achievements

Fundraising page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Increased Target

My Updates

ONE WEEK TO GO!!!

Thursday 7th Aug

In 1 week, I will be in Alice Springs ready to tick off a bucket list running event!

The last couple of months have been extremely busy. I have followed the training plan as much as I can. You always expect that there may be an interruption or 2 and that’s ok. You keep on track once you’re able and keep going.

However, there were times over the last couple of months that I was concerned that my head was getting in more hill training than my legs!

Routine health checks led to more appointments, more imaging and then biopsies. I have been here before but boy was I glad that I had Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia to reach out to. From figuring out how to navigate and access a different set out health professionals, finding what, who and where was best for my situation, and being able to approach my headspace with care and getting it right, NECA honestly had me covered from the NET Nurses, counselling and even discussing this fundraiser and easing my all of concerns. Not only do they have it all, it’s also the level of care and compassion available when needed. I have always said and always will say how amazing NECA are, and I can honestly say this from firsthand experience over the years.

Short story is that all is well. Just one final oncologist appointment after Run Larapinta which I’m feeling quite calm about.

Appointments and associated down time did impact my training though. So, I reached out to the race director.  I said I 100% still wanted to be there but due to ‘life’ happening and the timing I asked about the chances of swapping from the Malbunka course to the Namatjira course. One spot had opened in the Namatjira course. I guess it was meant to be! The Namatjira course is still tough as it covers 85km over 4 days and visits all the highlight features each day in a more accessible version. It still has the climbs and views!

I am really looking forward to getting to Run Larapinta and being able to give the Namatjira course my all! I’ll be sharing plenty of photos! 

Corporate Sponsor - Shanda from Travel Managers

Thursday 12th Jun
Re introducing my next corporate sponsor!

Sharon is a friend of my sisters who I had the privilege of meeting when my mum was going through her own neuroendocrine cancer battle. Since then I have loved following Sharon's journey and taking inspiration from all that she has achieved, and continues to achieve, in her running adventures and the incredible awareness and fundraising she brings to NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia. I am looking forward to continuing to follow Sharon's training and preparation for her upcoming 'Run Larapinta Stage Race'.

A little about me. 

I am a seasoned travel industry professional with over 17 years’ experience across a wide range of roles including wholesale, group travel and retail travel. I am lucky to have travelled extensively to Europe, North America, parts of South East Asia, the South Pacific and ofcourseour own beautiful country. Some highlights include:
  • 3-month expedition through Europe with my husband and our 2 children (ages 11 and 9). So many incredible experiences but a few special ones that stand out; visiting the Aran Islands in beautiful Ireland and a 4 night canal boat holiday in France where we were both the captain and the lock keeper.
  • a white Christmas in Lake Louise.
  • visiting parts of Eastern Europe pre the European Union.
  • self-driving tour throughout Germany.
  • 3-night stay on a barge in Northern Vietnam.
  • Mediterranean Cruise on a beautiful boutique ship.

I specialise in: Tailor Made Holidays, Escorted Tours, Cruising, Group travel (including school groups, sporting groups, family groups and club’s such as Probus and Rotary), Conferences and Destination weddings and honeymoons (including gift registries).

I consider it an absolute privilege being able to assist people in planning and booking their dream holidays. 

Please feel free to visit my website https://www.travelmanagers.com.au/ptm/shandasebbage/about/ for some travel inspiration or to subscribe to my newsletter



Corporate Sponsor - GV SECURITY FENCING

Wednesday 28th May

I’d like to re-introduce my very first corporate sponsor – GV Security Fencing.

Back when I said I wanted to do Run Larapinta for NECA to raise funds and awareness, Josh said to reach out to him when the time came. So I did, and he was on board straight away.

It’s thanks to people like Josh that NECA can continue to do the work that they do for 29,350+ Neuroendocrine patients across Australia.

To get to the Run Larapinta stage race we will be travelling from Wallan, VIC to Alice Springs, NT and back again.

GV Security Fencing’s logo will be featured on the road trip vehicle! You won't be able to miss us!

If you have any gate or fencing needs from residential, industrial, to commercial you definitely need to contact Josh and his team for a chat. If you want quality results, with over 25yrs experience you can’t go wrong!

https://gvsecurityfencing.com.au/

Qualifier Race done and Officially Qualified for Run Larapinta

Monday 21st Apr
At the end of March I finished a 50km trail running event at Brimbank Park Trail Running Festival. A warm day that started off a little fresh. Layers were off quickly though. There was amazing views to be had all the way. Plus some great chats. Then at the end I received some lovely bling (the medal)and even a mug!
 I forwarded the details to the powers that be at Rapid Ascent, the organisers of Run Larapinta.
I then received the the official stamp of qualification! The sigh of relief was heard quite clearly within the meeting room at work! After the meeting had finished of course. 
I know being able to complete such distances takes training to gain the physical strength required. However, it also takes a lot of mental strength. That day completing the 50km reassured me that I had plenty of mental strength as back up.
I know the training has gone to next level now. So everything else from now will be approached with more strength physically as more work goes in. The mental strength is always there, sometimes I just need a reminder that it is. This run and the community around me did that.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$500

Josh Weaire

$300

Everyday Battler Podcast

$263.75

Brett Lenne

$254

Anonymous

Go Sharon

$200

Shanda Sebbage

$174.07

Sharon Rickard

Natio Christmas Raffle

$106.12

Tim Anderson

$106.12

Jenny Vile

Sharon, your are inspirational and a wonderful role model for the cause. You’re a gem 💎 all the best with the run 🏃‍♀️ Jen x

$106.12

Jenny & Rob

Proud of you! 💕Enjoy!

$85.48

Jean Bailey

Such an amazing effort and great cause :)

$54.12

Amy Wait

$54.12

Amanda + Boys

$52.75

Nikolay Anderson

Wishing you the best with your run!

$52.75

Wendy Kerrison

Love your work Sharon ❤️

$50

Meredith Cummins

Wishing you all the best for your run - thanks for being you!!!

$43.60

Anna Davies

Your such a great inspiration Sharon. Best of luck 👍🏼

$22.58

Dru Marsh

Wow - its a dream to walk the Larapinta (and conversely a nightmare to think of running it!). Great cause! Best of luck!

$21

Amy Wait

$20

Marie Henshall

Sounds like a great challenge. Best of luck with your training and the run Sharon!

$11.65

Forging Iron

Good luck tackling the Malbunka course at Run Larapinta! What a challenge.. but you got this! Great you are raising awareness and funds for NECA. Well done!

$11.65

Wendy Tao

$10.55

Me!