Despite some significant challenges during the past 12 months, the Cunningham Downs resident continues to raise money for the charity close to her heart — and, more importantly, her brain: Epilepsy Foundation.
This is the eighth year Ms O'Bree is collecting funds for Purple Day in Echuca-Moama.
And while she can’t hold her usual morning tea because of COVID-19 restrictions, the epilepsy survivor is encouraging people to buy purple ribbons for $1 each.
Although she is still recovering from back surgery, Ms O'Bree has been pounding the pavements selling ribbons and leaving them at businesses across the twin towns.
‘‘I just hope people will buy a ribbon to support the foundation that helped me so much,’’ she said.
Since launching her version of Purple Day in Echuca-Moama in 2013, Ms O'Bree has raised more than $25,000 for Epilepsy Foundation.
‘‘I’m proud of having raised that much, but bringing awareness to epilepsy has been just as important,’’ she said.
Ms O'Bree endured regular epileptic seizures for 54 years before undergoing brain surgery in 2012, which has seen her seizure-free for nine years.
She is one of an estimated 2.9 million people in Australia aged over 65 with epilepsy — a demographic with the highest proportion of people with epilepsy.
People can buy a $1 ribbon at Echuca Fashion Centre (Lords) or Lily and Pearl in Hare St, and I Want I Need in High St.
Students and staff at Echuca 208 and Twin Rivers Specialist schools, as well as Echuca and Rochester hospitals and aged care homes will also be wearing purple for Purple Day on March 26.
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