Ure-Moilanen Walking Team

Fund-Raising Walk Completed! (Final Update)

Hi everyone – the Ure-Moilanen Team completed our fundraising walk yesterday, and enjoyed a wonderful day despite some inclement weather threatening to upset proceedings. However the rain dissipated just before commencing our walk around Fawkner Park at 11 am, so our 20 walking team members stayed dry, and this continued on afterwards as we enjoyed a BBQ and some celebratory drinks.

In honour of Maarit, and thanks to the amazing generosity of all of her family and friendship circles, we have raised just over $7500 for the Heart and Lung Transplant Trust Victoria (HLTTV), and to support its Second Chance Accommodation Program (SCAP).

SCAP provides transplant recipients, and their carers, with accommodation close to the Alfred Hospital while they are required to spend three months in a mandatory rehabilitation/recovery program at The Alfred in the immediate aftermath following their transplant. This almost daily regime, from early morning to late afternoon involves a rigorous program of tests; medical procedures and assessments; clinic visits; gym/physiotherapy; and education sessions.

However, the 3-month stay is not at The Alfred; and the transplant recipient and carer must find alternative accommodation close by. Most families, by the time they receive this life saving procedure, have experienced a prolonged, stressful and financially draining illness followed by a difficult pre-transplant process which includes seriously declining health and increasing psychological stress. Normal work is impossible and financial hardship is usually experienced.

SCAP assists in providing post-transplant patients with quality accommodation, within walking distance of The Alfred. This becomes a place to call home for three months while they go through, possibly, the most traumatic experience of their lives.

The monies we have raised together will provide one SCAP apartment for at least a year – this a fantastic outcome.

Elena, Nick, Zac and I would like to thank everyone who donated to our fundraising effort in honour of Maarit – we are overjoyed that so many people cherish her memory, as we do, and have been prepared to support us in honouring our beautiful mother and partner.

To our walking partners yesterday, we express our gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for making the effort to walk with us, and share in such a great occasion in Maarit’s memory. We hope you love your walk t-shirt, and will think of Maarit and smile whenever you wear it.

So thanks to you all, together we have made a big contribution to a life-saving cause, and, in doing so, honoured a wonderful woman who has meant so much to all of us.

James, Elena, Nick & Zac

Next Update on Team Ure-Moilanen Walk (as at 17 November - 1 Week To Go)

Hi everyone – we have one week to go before our fundraising walk next Sunday 24 November. Again, a huge thank you to all of our family, friends and work colleagues who have donated to our fundraising effort for HLTTV. We are humbled by the generosity of everyone, and the recognition that Maarit held such a special place in so many people’s lives. Thank you so much.

We are close to the $5000 mark and hope to continue to raise more in the last week before our walk next Sunday. If you haven’t already, and would like to donate to our fundraising effort, please do so in the next week.

We are looking like having 17-18 walkers in Team Ure-Moilanen, which is fantastic. We are having special t-shirts designed and printed for wearing on the walk – the design courtesy of Elena and Tash James, and the t-shirt printing by Zac – thanks guys.

We’re hoping for nice weather next Sunday, but are certain it will be a great day and a celebration of the life of a very special woman.

Thanks to everyone who has donated to date, and we look forward to more donations through this last week before our walk next Sunday.

James, Elena, Nick and Zac

Update on Team Ure-Moilanen Fundraising Walk  (as at 7 November)

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to our cause so far; it is a fantastic tribute to a wonderful woman. We have raised close to $3,000 for HLTTV so far, and have high hopes to continue this fundraising momentum. We have another 2 weeks to go before our walk on Sunday 24 November, so if you would like to contribute please do so before then. 

So far the Ure-Moilanen Walking Team comprises 15 walkers who are family and friends who are walking in honour of Maarit. We will join other HLTTV members who are also walking and fundraising. If anyone else is interested in joining us for the walk around Fawkner Park, please let us know.  Following the walk, the HLTTV Christmas BBQ is also being held in Fawkner Park, so please feel free to join us as well. 

Thanks again,

James, Elena, Nick and Zac

Hi everyone!  Next Friday (1 November) it will be 2 years since Maarit Moilanen - our beautiful wife, mother and friend - left us. We still miss her every day but have no doubt she is looking down and taking care of us all.

James, Elena, Nick, Zac and some of Maarit's friends have decided to honour her on her anniversary by undertaking some fundraising for the Heart and Lung Transplant Trust of Victoria (HLTTV) in her memory. 

HLTTV is an organisation that was very close to Maarit's heart and she worked very hard supporting HLTTV following her own heart transplant, and the work it does for transplant recipients and their familiies and communities. 

Our fundraising effort will be to undertake a walk around the perimeter of Fawkner Park in Melbourne (opposite the Alfred Hospital in Commercial Rd Prahran) on the morning of Sunday 24 November, commencing at 11 am.  The walk is part of a fundraising effort by HLTTV on that morning.  

Following the walk, HLTTV will be holding it's annual Christmas BBQ for the transplant community in the grounds of Fawkner Park. The BBQ will start at about 12 noon and all HLTTV members, all fundraising walkers and the broader transplant community and familiies are invited to share in this gathering. 

We would be so grateful if you could support us ("the Ure-Moilanen Walking Team") in remembering and honouring Maarit, and continuing to assist HLTTV in its work for the transplant community.  Any donation you would like to make would be fantastic, you can make a secure online donation via this page and/or by posting a message of support.

Donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to HLTTV. You will also receive tax receipt acknowledging your donation for tax purposes.

Thanks so much for your support and remembering our beautiful Maarit.