Organisers of the Herd of Hope charity cattle drive hoofed it to Sydney to round up support at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
They want to drive a herd of heifers over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on a Sunday morning to raise money and awareness for organ donation and transplant recipient services in the bush.
Megan McLoughlin said she received “amazing amounts” of support during her trip from South Australia, even bumping into a woman who suffers from multiple sclerosis on the Bridge, who was checking that she could walk the route.
NSW government has said traffic congestion is the primary reason it would not allow the event on the Bridge, but the Herd of Hope has resolved to keep campaigning.
Megan said the difficulties confronting regional people on on the organ transplant waiting list were driving her to push on for the Herd of Hope.
“You only have at most 10 hours notice to get to hospital when an organ becomes available,” she said.
“Regional hospitals don’t have the organs available, or the facilities to do the transplants.
“Getting a transplant can be ruthless. If you’re outside a major city and get to the hospital in time, or there are no flights or whatever, you miss out.”
Megan said she was able to seize a fleeting opportunity to receive her kidney transplant because she had moved to Sydney, to be close to Westmead Hospital.
“Due to someone not being able to make it hospital in time, I had one-and-a-half hours to get there” Megan said.
“Unfortunately, someone else couldn’t make it to Westmead in time, which is where NSW’s regional transplants are performed.”
The Herd of Hope received “100 per cent positive support” from Sydney residents spoken to at the Sydney Royal.
“Everyone said it was such a worthwhile cause, and that they’re happy to have the bridge shut for the event to run,” Megan said.
Sign a petition to let the Herd ride at: www.herdofhope.com.au