Like all gym instructors, YMCA WA Morley’s Dianne Byrne (pictured far right) takes classes at the centre and has a great relationship with the members of the community she interacts with. However unlike all gym instructors Dianne is fiercely active in the fundraising space for Multiple Sclerosis, a cause which sees her hold the female ‘double up’ challenge record in WA, and a cause which she’ll walk 50kms for next month.
Every year for the last six, Dianne has carried out a variety of fundraising schemes to raise money for MS Society; from raffles, to high teas, tupperware parties to this year’s Metafit events – and everything in between.
“We ran two Metafit charity events on February 18th and March 25th; Metafit is a 30 minute high interval intensity training class so we thought it would be great to offer exercise as a fundraiser,” Dianne said.
“Toula and I are both instructors at YMCA and are qualified to teach Metafit so we thought ‘why not!’, each of the 31 participants paid $10 and combined with other donations we raised $200 and $280 respectively at the events which went to the MS Society.”
Dianne’s ever-increasing efforts for the MS Society come from a place close to home; Dianne has a vast understanding of just how far every donation goes as her mum suffers from the debilitating disease.
“My mum is really supportive of what we do, she thinks we’re crazy with how many fundraisers we do but if we don’t do these things we don’t get the money. It’s not huge compared to what some big businesses can raise but every cent counts,” Dianne said.
On the 6th of May, Dianne will walk 50kms from Bakers Hill, and three weeks out from the even she’s already smashed her fundraising goals courtesy of the generous support of the YMCA community.
“My initial goal was to raise $500 myself and then get the team to raise $1,000, but I’ve already raised my goal and I’m now aiming for $1,000 from myself, which I’ll definitely be able to make because of how supportive everyone has been,” Dianne said.
On the 18th of June, Dianne will participate in ‘Step Up for MS’, an event spanning 1,103 steps up the Central Park tower. However Dianne tackles the ‘double up’, which sees her tackle the tower twice, and she currently holds the record for the quickest double up time of 17:06 minutes combined.
“The clientele at YMCA are so supportive, I do the Step Up every year and have done for 6-7 years, but everyone’s always so supportive which is great,” Dianne said.
For more information on how you can support Dianne and MS Society WA, head in to YMCA Morley, where you’ll also find a limited offer of 6 months free gym membership when you purchase 6 months before the end of April.