Brenda Windsor will take on the Bravehearts 777 Marathon for child safety

Brenda Windsor will take on the Bravehearts 777 Marathon, where she’ll take on seven marathons in seven days to raise funds for vital work protecting children from sexual abuse.

Mackay Local, Brenda Windsor, is taking on Australia’s mightiest marathon, the Bravehearts 777 Marathon, running seven consecutive marathons across seven states, over seven days from 26 June to 2 July 2023 to protect kids against sexual abuse.. Picture: Mitchell Dyer

A School Liaison Officer at Central Queensland University Brenda Windsor is set to take on one of Australia‘s toughest challenges, as part of an effort to help protect children from sexual abuse.

From June 26 to July 2, Brenda will run seven consecutive marathons across seven states as part of the Bravehearts 777 Marathon.

As A School Liaison Officer at Central Queensland University and grandmother of three, Brenda is all too aware of the importance of keeping children safe.

“I am a pretty seasoned runner but have been upping my training a bit to prepare.” said Windsor.

“I just love to run, and running for a cause just adds another aspect to running.

“I just think it is the most hideous crime in the world and anything I can do to make that better, I’ll do it.”

Brenda‘s efforts are in support of Bravehearts, a charity dedicated to raising vital funds for counselling, support services, and child sexual abuse prevention and educational programs across Australia.

“The triple seven is the major fundraiser for their education program” Windsor said.

“An educated child is an empowered child and an empowered child is a protected child.”

As a teacher at Sarina State High School and a grandmother of three, Brenda knows the importance of protecting Australia’s youth. Picture: Mitchell Dyer

This will be Windsor’s third time completing the challenge after doing it in 2018, 2021, and now at it again after the Covid interruption.

Although sharing no personal connection to the cause, Windsor is passionate about helping those effected by sexual assault and says that she wants to act as a voice to those who feel voiceless.

“I’m hoping by being visual and loud in the local community that a person who doesn‘t know what to do and can’t reach out will see me and think there is help out there for me and I can reach them that way.” Windsor said.

To reach her personal fundraising goal of $10,000, Brenda is calling on her community to donate and register for the Bravehearts 777 Marathon, which will come to Queensland on July 1.

This isn‘t Brenda’s first marathon, having competed in more than 30 in her lifetime and her dedication to the cause has not gone unnoticed, with the 59-year-old being recognised for her efforts at the 2023 Mackay Regional Council Australia Day Awards.

Brenda’s passion for running and her drive to raise awareness in honour of those affected by child sexual abuse is what motivates her to take on this challenge.

This is Brenda’s third year tackling the gargantuan event to support the 1 in 4 children impacted by child sexual abuse. With a passion for running and a drive to raise awareness in honour of those who have been affected by child sexual abuse, Brenda will take on the challenge to prove normal people can do extraordinary things. Picture: Mitchell Dyer

Sadly, sexual assaults are on the rise, with a 13 per cent increase year on year in 2021.

What‘s even more concerning is that almost two-thirds of victim-survivors were under the age of 18 when the sexual assault occurred.

Bravehearts’ school education programs, such as Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show and ProjectYou!, are crucial in safeguarding the futures of Australian children.