A JINDERA mother and father wish they could join a community walk on Saturday organised to support their ill son.
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The hike at Table Top Mountain will raise money to assist Archie Mahon, 3, who is receiving treatment in Melbourne for his second battle against cancer.
Archie, his parents Sally Wildon and Dan Mahon and big brothers Geordie, 8, and Thierry, 6, relocated to live at Ronald McDonald House during this time.
But the whole family was able to return to Jindera for a few days this week before the next round of chemotherapy began.
Ms Wildon said it was exciting to be back.
“The boys are getting an extra week’s holiday because it’s different in Victoria to NSW, so they’re happy about that and Archie’s happy to be home,” she said.
“We all live in one room at McDonald House, so it’s nice to be back in our own rooms.”
Even so, the move had reduced the stress of travelling back and forth from Jindera and the older boys’ new school was working out well.
“Melbourne’s busy, it’s good just to be there,” Ms Wildon said.
“I didn’t want to go but now that we’re there we’re just focusing on what we need to do.”
Archie’s parents thanked the community for its continued support, particularly during times when his treatment had affected their ability to earn an income.
Ms Wildon said the family had to return to Melbourne on Thursday, but Saturday’s walk, being organised by friend Fiona Brown, sounded like a great idea.
“We’d love to go if we were here, we always wanted to see Table Top,” she said.
Mrs Brown said all proceeds from the day would benefit Archie, with tour leader Phil Rouvray and landowners Elizabeth and Roger Paterson not charging for the event.
The walk would suit families, but children needed to be supervised and kept away from the cliff face at the top.
“I took my son up there when he was three and he was fine,” Mrs Brown said. “It’s just about walking up, it’s not about trying to run it and do it fast or anything like that.
“You just take your time ... look at the view.
“I’m sure as a community we’ll help each other.”
The walk costs $25 a family and participants will meet at 9am. For more information, go to the Archie’s Story Facebook page or ring Fiona Brown on 0438 262 644.
