Rodney Stevens

Spectacular spring-like weather greeted almost 200 people who took part in the LJ Hooker Maclean Coast to Course Charity Day on July 30, walking from Brooms Head to Yamba or playing a round of golf at Yamba Golf and Country Club to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis (CF).

Organised by LJ Hooker Maclean, the Coast to Course Charity Day has been running since 2008, raising $76,960.75 for CF, and this year up to 100 people walked the 23km to Yamba from Brooms Head, while 72 people played a round at Yamba Golf and Country Club.

One of the participants, local cystic fibrosis sufferer Chloe was able to walk the 23km from Brooms Head to Yamba to help raise valuable funds for CF.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease inherited from parents that mostly affects the lungs and digestive system by producing thick, sticky mucus, that can cause problems with digesting food and repeated lung infections, which can lead to permanent lung damage.

One in every 2,500 babies born in Australia has CF and there is no cure for the condition that can increase the risk of colorectal cancer and heart disease.

For the past 10-years, Chris Durrington, who has three children with cystic fibrosis with his wife Kim, and the Yamba Golf and Country Club have supported the day, recently including the golf option as an alternative for those who want to participate.

“It used to be just a walk, but there’s people that can’t walk that far so we combined the golf into the event as well and now it has grown to be as big as the walk almost,” he said.

The Yamba Golf and Country Club Golf Operations Manager said they had heard about the disease but knew nothing about Cystic Fibrosis when his first of three children were diagnosed.

“The first one was probably about six months old when we were told, and we hadn’t even heard of Cystic Fibrosis,” he said.

“Then they said our second child probably wouldn’t have it, and then sure enough she had it.

“When our third child came along, they said you can’t have three with it, and then the third one popped up.”

This year LJ Hooker Maclean Coast to Course Charity Day was held for the first time since 2019, after fires destroyed bridges over creeks in 2020, then Covid, followed by the 2022 floods, led to postponements.

Mr Durrington said both the walk and the round of golf was enjoyed by all participants who helped add to the tally for CF.

“It was a great day and we had perfect weather, so everyone said they had a fantastic time,” he said.

“Everyone finished the walk on what was a perfect day, most people finished within four or five hours, but there were a few stragglers that came in later.

“In the golf it was a four-person Ambrose and the winners had 53 nett, which is a great score.”

During speeches at the end of the day, Mr Durrington said he thanked everyone involved in what was an amazing day.

“It was a great day where we can see where the money goes and we appreciate everybody’s help and support,” he said.

“It was just huge and brought a tear to our eyes.”

Now aged 13, 12, and 10, Mr Durrington said with developments in treatments for Cystic Fibrosis the prognosis for his children had improved dramatically over the years.

“The research that’s been done and the drugs they are on now has come so far,” he said.

“When they were born, they were given until 25 when they were going to die, about five years later it was about 35, and now it’s endless, just from new drugs that have come out.

“The drugs that my kids are on, if I had to pay for them, they’d be $1.4 million a year, but because of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme it’s affordable.”

The team at LJ Hooker Maclean said so far for the 2023 LJ Hooker Maclean Coast 2 Course Charity Day we are hoping to reach $13,500.

As a local family-owned business, community and charity is at the heart of everything we do – We are proud supporters of Cystic Fibrosis Australia, Lifeline, Humpty Dumpty Foundation, Cancer Councils Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, and many local community events and sporting clubs across the region. LJ Hooker Maclean takes pride in the many ways we give back, whether it is across the street or across the country.

“Over the years we have had up to 140 people participate in the 23km walk, combining the day with the golf allows us to bring more people together, raise awareness of CF and raise much needed funds,” the LJ Hooker Maclean team said.

“Since 2008 with the support of our local community we have raised $76,960.75 and with this year’s event we will bring that amount to over $90,000 for Cystic Fibrosis.”