Sunshine Butterflies, a lifeline for hundreds of individuals with disability on the Sunshine Coast, is calling on the community to lace up their shoes and spread their wings for the fourth annual Walk in Wings event as this year holds a special purpose: raising $20,000 for an essential Kubota vehicle for their 15-acre property.

Sunshine Butterflies Founder and CEO Leanne Walsh said the organisation’s "Farmability" program and Farm Animal Therapy sessions provide their members with a safe and supportive space to care for and interact with farm animals.

"Connecting with animals through body language, caring for them and helping maintain their living environments really has a special way of boosting social connections, self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment.”

Leanne said the new machinery will make a huge difference in reducing physical strain and helping members, staff, and volunteers work more efficiently.

“Currently our main responsibilities like feeding, waste disposal, and manure spreading are done manually using wheelbarrows, so for this year’s Walk In Wings event we are walking with an additional goal — to raise $20,000 for a Kubota that will improve the wellbeing of our cherished farm animals and the safety of our members, staff and volunteers.”

Leanne’s passion for disability education, awareness, and inclusion stems from her personal journey as a mother. Her son Curtis was born 13 weeks premature with Cerebral Palsy, an experience that fuelled her drive to create a more accepting and supportive community.

"One of the first barriers people with disability face is the attitudes and mindsets of others. Often people stereotype or assume that those with disability have a poor quality of life and this stems from a lack of understanding,” Leanne said.

“But the truth is, people with disability are just like everyone else, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Through events like Walk in Wings we can highlight these important issues and celebrate the incredible diversity within our community.”

Scheduled for Friday 11th October from 6am, Walk in Wings - proudly brought to you by Herbalife, is an all-inclusive 3km accessible loop along Noosa River on Gympie Terrace that unites schools, sporting groups, businesses, the general public and their dogs all dressed in playful butterfly wings or purple clothing.

Prizes for the most creative wings at the event include a staycation in a two-bedroom luxury apartment with breakfast thanks to RACV Noosa, and a hot air balloon ride for two with full breakfast thanks to HRM Contracting & Consulting.

“Each year this event grows bigger and we are so excited to see hundreds of people proudly show off their wings, raise awareness of our neighbours and friends with disability, and celebrate the wonderful differences that make each of us unique,” said Leanne.

Donate here to help Sunshine Butterflies grant their wish of raising $20,000 and purchasing a Kubota vehicle for “Our Backyard.”

Registration is now open at walkinwings.com.au, with tickets available for children, families, groups of 4 and up to 10. A free Kinetic bus service will also be available to pick up walkers based in and around Maroochydore, departing from HomeCo Sunshine Coast (at the bus stop near Super Cheap) at 5.30am and dropping back after 8.30am. Please register and contact heather@sunshinebutterflies.com.au to reserve your seat on the bus.