The hot weather wasn’t going to stop Greg Binskin and his family from taking on the Bridge2Bridge challenge on Sunday. “KidzWish has been a really great supporter for the family in going through the challenges of having a boy with a disability,” Binskin said. The family from Woonona joined hundreds of others for the annual walk from the Sea Cliff bridge to Windang bridge. All funds raised go towards the services and programs offered by the Illawarra children's charity, which are invaluable to kids like Binskin’s son Ashton. “Ashton had an infantile stroke when he was eight weeks old. He still has a brain tumour,” Binskin said. “We are still trying to work through his ability. He has difficulty walking but we are training him up to walk so he has got lots of disabilities. “We have been especially grateful for the early intervention support KidzWish has provided. Ashton wasn’t supposed to be able to speak or talk. The intervention helps him through his social engagement. “The physio and other services KidzWish provides has also been very helpful.” Mr Binskin, his partner Renee Jurgielan and their sons Ashton and Hayden, as well as therapy dog Erin, walked from Bulli to WIN Stadium in Wollongong. They spoke to the Mercury while taking a rest at Towradgi beach. “We will walk to WIN Stadium and then go to Wollongong Golf Club to celebrate Ashton’s [7th] birthday,” he said. “It is great that KidzWish is a local charity that helps local kids and families. It has made a big difference in Ashton's life since they've come into our lives.” Participants had the option to walk all 40kms, or part of the course. For the first time, KidzWish speech pathologist Roisin Glover walked the whole way. She was joined by her husband, sister and other members of her family. “I think it is important to raise awareness for KidzWish in the Illawarra. We are a small organisation but we are based here trying to raise funds to stay here in the region,” she said. “Obviously a walk like this means a lot of people out and about and they see us and ask us questions about what we do.

Another Bridge2Bridge done and dusted. Thank you so much to everyone who joined us today - that’s all our walkers, runners, sponsors and volunteers. The future looks brighter every day because of supporters like you. Thank you for giving support, love and laughter to Illawarra kids. We’re just so excited about our community that we quickly put together a short highlights video to celebrate. More videos, photos and drone footage coming soon. Tag someone who needs to see this 👇👇👇

Congratulations Johnny and Graham. Finishing the Bridge2Bridge Challenge. Both have combined, raised an extra $990 for KidzWish (and counting)

Congratulations Lee and Kate. Finished the Bridge2Bridge Challenge in 7 hours and 21 minutes. Walked from Sea Cliff Bridge to Windang Bridge.

Thank you @carlsonhizonfitness and crew 🧡

Ashton finished his 2nd Bridge2Bridge Challenge. This is after Ashton’s recent hip surgery. And doctors predicted that to get to this stage would take 12-18 months... We’re so excited that his will and determination has pushed him to complete this goal in 7 months!! Never stop dreaming @ashtonbinskin.

“We completed from Sea Cliff Bridge to Wollongong, and we did it in about 4 hours. Well done KidzWish for organising such an amazing event. It was great to be part of Bridge2Bridge.” - Candace and Marin

KidzWish would like to extend their thanks to the Bridge2Bridge major sponsors @thescarboroughhotel and the many generous sponsors including Austbrokers City State, Smith & Sons Renovations & Extensions Illawarra North, Plus Fitness Illawarra, Club Windang, Dynamik Nutrition Australia, PRS Partners, Wollongong Podiatry, Flat White with one, Dignam Real Estate, Aceit, Wisdom Advertising + Design, Print Media, Thomas Creative, Steelcity Beverages, Finance Control, Multi Civil & Rail, McDonald's Illawarra and TDK Corporation.