Bec Rourke (front) has been supported on the 'Walk for Katie' journey by the Godfrey family and other friends and family.
Katelyn Godfrey should have celebrated her 22nd birthday in February.
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Instead, her friends and family hit the pavement in her honour to raise money for the SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes) Foundation.
Katelyn, known as Katie to her friends and close family, passed away unexpectedly as a result of Long QT Syndrome in November.
It is a heart signalling disorder that can cause sudden, fast, chaotic heartbeats (arrhythmias).
Katie’s best friend and family member, Bec Rourke, led the fundraising effort.
Bec was supported by Katelyn’s family and a host of friends and other family members who joined her on the daily ‘Walk for Katie’ campaign.
“Katie was only 21 and taken away way too soon,” Bec said.
“This condition is hereditary, and sadly, other members of my family have it too.
“I chose to walk in February as it was Katie’s birthday month - our first without her.
“It is important to us to support the SADS Foundation to raise awareness about Long QT.
“The foundation does some wonderful work providing resources to patients and families dealing with these types of heart conditions.
“It means a lot to us to be able to contribute to these efforts to support families and prevent avoidable deaths of young people like Katie.”
The SADS Foundation is a leader in education, research and advocacy.
Its mission is to save lives and support the families of children and young adults who are genetically predisposed to sudden death due to heart rhythm abnormalities.
It provides education and support to patients and families who are dealing with these disorders.
All money raised through ‘Walk for Katie’ will be donated to support such programs.
Bec initially set a goal to walk 100km in February and raise $500.
Bec Rourke and Katelyn Godfrey.
Her fundraising tally is now at more than $7000, after clocking up 252km after her final February walk on Thursday.
With Bec as an inspiration, other family and friends walked a total of 1000km.
Bec also organised shirts with ‘Walk for Katie’ and a butterfly logo, which the family now knows as ‘Katie's Butterfly’.
“My feet are definitely screaming at me, but I was determined because, as Katie always told me, ‘you can do anything you put your mind to’,” Bec said.
“This was one of the hardest yet most rewarding things I have done.
“I pushed myself so hard, and there were days I didn’t think I could do it, but I knew Katie was watching over and guiding me, giving me strength.”
Katelyn’s parents, Kerrie and Gary Godfrey, and her siblings Jack, Bryson and Will are overwhelmed with the support and donations that ‘Walk for Katie’ received.
“We are so proud of Bec and her amazing rally for Katelyn,” the Godfreys said.
“Knowing that Katie was walking every step beside us kept us motivated.
“Bec gave us the inspiration to learn to walk again.
“With Bec's incredible dedication to creating awareness for Long QT Syndrome, she has made something wonderful happen.
“We are so lucky to know that Katelyn made such a difference in many ways.”
Final donations for ‘Walk for Katie’ can be made by going to the fundraising page, https://www.facebook.com/donate/918645769557856/.
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