FIREFOXES

The Fox and Pheasant Bootcamp

The 2nd Bootcamp is underway, due to the first one fully booked in a matter of days. The Pheasant Creek Gym in association with Firefoxes is guiding the women to become stronger physically, mentally and emotionally. Congratulations to all participants and great to hear the feedback!

Here is what some of the women had to say...

I laughed... I don't feel like I have done that in a while!!! I laughed at my sore bones and muscles, and I laughed with these new friends I have made!

I feel healthier that is always a bonus, also I feel less guilty about taking time away from other things to do something for myself.

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed meeting other women. I hadn't been to many events or meetings because I really didn't want to meet other people and have to 'talk' about it (the fires). However, it was so nice to meet and see other women in the same headspace as me. Though we never talked about the fires directly very much, it was obvious to me that these women were feeling exactly what I was feeling. It was so refreshing to see them pick themselves up and benefit from such a great opportunity.

The Red Shield Appeal

Firefoxes gave back to the Salvos who so generously helped out after the events of February 7. A collection post was set up at the Foodworks Supermarket in Kinglake and also at the Kinglake Football Match on May 29. Young and old collected and gave... Thank you to the Salvation Army for their ongoing support to all bushfire affected areas.

Jemima Richards, a Firefox, was invited to be a guest speaker at the launch of the Red Shield Appeal in Sydney in April 2010. Her insight allowed corporate donors to gain a greater understanding of how their contribution to the appeal helps those most in need. Thank you to everyone who supports the Salvation Army, as their help has allowed bush fire survivors to tap into a service that many have never previously utilised before.

The two ‘Bush to Beach Retreats’ were run by fire affected women for fire affected women with the support of VBRRA. These were significant and very special events attracting over 650 participants. We believe they were the first post-disaster gatherings (world-wide) of women across all ages (18-82) and affected areas. One of the participants, Rhonda had this to say -

The Bush to Beach retreat was an awesome, magical, inspiring, humbling, gracious, humorous, poignant "soul sustaining" survival experience...

It was a priceless gift of hope and courage and strength to many women linked by deep common threads of suffering, resilience, care and connectedness. It was a time to support, encourage and top up reserves which is so crucial for improved paths to recovery. It was three amazing days testament to the absolute and enormous power of "compassion", of "spirit", of "can do", of "hope"; of women nurturing and healing and sharing and giving; women making a huge difference because they have the belief that they can, and the determination that "doing" is the only option. This weekend was a banquet of "soul food" that will undoubtedly help sustain many for quite some time.

 Jemima Richards and Kate Riddell were assisting Jodie Thorneycroft and Justine Morris with both Retreats.