We are so pleased to be sending our newsletter this week, coinciding with the announcement that restrictions in South Australia are easing ahead of time. We are sure you are as excited as we are at the prospect of celebrating a COVID safe State sooner than previously anticipated.

As we see gatherings increasing to 20 people from 5 June and the re-opening of some businesses, we remain hopeful that larger gatherings will be possible by early August so that our 300 trekkers can take on the Heysen Trail together. We continue to have discussions with our safety, logistics and risk management crew about how the event can run with distancing and small gathering measures in place.

This year has been especially challenging with the lives of so many people affected, first by the severe bushfire season and now the coronavirus. Charities all over the world are feeling the pinch as donations have all but come to a halt. However, as our lives start to return to some sort of normal, it’s a relief to see donations start to come in once again. It is this generosity that allows us to save lives by raising awareness about the steps we can all take to preventing bowel cancer.

Over the weekend, we were thrilled to see so many of you partake in your own trek. Your support and enthusiasm drives donations and makes events such as these happen. Each year we aim to raise over $250,000 through The JLF Trek SA, it is our biggest fundraiser for the year. We know this year will be different, but there are so many other benefits that we can still strive to achieve – there are the obvious physical and mental health aspects but The JLF Trek also provides an incredible platform to extend the reach of our health messages to many thousands of people. As the trek date nears and training is underway, this may be a good time to start talking to your friends and family about your place in the event.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Whether you are an annual trekker or this is your first time, your fundraising and generosity does not go unnoticed.