LOCAL LIFE
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Step Into Action
by Lorna Gordon
Chris Barton is known in our community for his walking fundraisers to raise money for local charities and the awareness of mental health challenges. He worked closely with the Blacktown Council in April to organise the first Walking Festival which raised over $ 50,000 for local organisation, BREED, so they could take their workshops into schools.
Chris has worked hard over the past year to register the Step Into Action Foundation as a not for profit, meaning they can now raise even more money for charity and people who donate can claim the tax benefits associated with it.
No stranger to challenges even when he isn’ t raising money through them, Chris has just finished a 500 day walking challenge that he set himself, where he walked over 20,000 steps each day. He is planning a walk from Newcastle to Sydney next year, but has his focus is on an event happening in November.
Step Into Action’ s first official fundraiser is a virtual walk to raise money for Charlotte’ s Wish. Last year, 12-yearold Charlotte O’ Brien took her life when online bullying became too much for her to bear. Her last wish was that no other child go through what she did, and her parents have bravely honoured that wish by pushing Parliament to ban social media in Australia for children under the age of 16, which was enforced in December of last year.
Charlotte’ s mum, Kelly, met Chris earlier this year, when Kelly and 100 of her Charlotte’ s Wish community joined in the walking festival. After meeting Kelly, Chris decided that he had to do something positive to help, not only to raise funds, but to raise awareness.
The money raised by Step Into Action will be used to help children of high school age.
“ Our first big event is to raise money for Charlotte’ s Wish Scholarship, I don’ t know how much we will raise but I’ m aiming for $ 100,000. The money will go towards supporting 12 to 18 year olds, providing mentoring, advice, building resilience, and to offer help if bullying occurs. I want to continue Charlotte’ s legacy that way,” Chris explained.
Chris wants this to be an annual event and encourages parents to get their kids involved in walking with them. His research into the benefits of walking have shown him that it is a positive way to get your children to engage with you, as there are no distractions.
“ If I can get more kids out walking with their parents that would be an added bonus. Walking creates an environment that encourages people to share their feelings; teenagers in particular will open up in a walking environment.”
The walk for Charlotte’ s Wish is taking place in November. More information is available at www. stepintoaction. com. au. They also have plans for future walking events, including the return of the Walk Festival in Blacktown in April next year.
8 ISSUE 55 // OCTOBER 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT