BALLARAT'S business people are pounding the pavements throughout November, as the virtual Run for a Cause raises much needed funds for childhood literacy.
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The Ballarat Foundation is assisting country music legend Dolly Parton in raising money to make sure all Ballarat children aged up to five have books to read.
For many Ballarat businesses, including McGrath Real Estate in Sturt Street, its not only a good way to get fit, but also is helping to raise money for those who may have been doing it toughest in this difficult year.
"We were one of the major sponsors last year," Principal and sales agent Daniel Nestor said.
READ MORE: On your marks! Run For A Cause is go!
"We enjoy throwing our support behind the cause.
"Obviously this year has been very difficult for a lot of people, and we were no different.
"But it's important, especially with so many events not going ahead. We're keen to support those that do in some form."
Run for a Cause is challenging participants to set their own goals to walk or run in November, rather than a set fun-run distance, with the aim to make every step count.
The Ballarat Foundation has nominated children's literacy as the fundraising cause this year, largely due to pressures home learning has put on families and the unknown measures the pandemic has put on families.
Efforts will support the foundation's Ballarat Reads program, which features the Dolly Parton Imagination Library that delivers Ballarat children a free book each month until they reach school.
In Ballarat, the Imagination Library has already been able to change the lives of 724 children since its introduction and aims to assist youngsters get accustomed to books before they start school.
In 2013, a joint effort between Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and the United Way began.
The partnership helped bring the program to Australia in 2014 making it the fourth nation and third continent to launch the Imagination Library.
Mr Nestor said many of the office members were runners, admitting he and others had already clicked upwards of 80km run this month.
"We're not doing the treadmills, we've all been out and about which has been great," Mr Nestor said.
If you want to set your own goals, you can do so at run4ac.org
