When 31-year-old Ferntree Gully resident sets off from Portsea on Saturday 5 July, she’ll be walking more than just 100 kilometres, she’ll be walking with love, purpose, and the hopes of an entire family resting on each step.
Kelsey Szabo’s journey, “Borrowed Steps 100k for A and J”, is a major community fundraiser aiming to raise $90,000 to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle for her two younger sisters, Ayva (22) and Jorja (16), who both live with ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) – a rare and degenerative genetic condition affecting mobility, immunity, and life expectancy.
“It’s the worst parts of cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy combined,” Ms Szabo said.
“They were born with it, but we didn’t know until Ayva started showing symptoms as a toddler. Jorja was diagnosed much earlier because we knew what to look for.”
Over the years, the sisters’ condition has slowly worsened. Now, both use wheelchairs and need round-the-clock support, with even simple things like eating, drinking, and speaking becoming a daily struggle.
Their mum, a devoted single parent, cares for them full-time but their old van is no longer up to the task, making everyday life even harder.
“The van doesn’t fit both of their power wheelchairs,” Ms Szabo said.
“Mum has to lift them out of their wheelchairs and into the car manually. It’s exhausting. She’s doing this every time they leave the house – four times in one trip.”
While NDIS will help fund modifications to a new vehicle, the upfront cost – nearly $90,000 is out of reach for a family reliant on a carer’s allowance.
That’s when Ms Szabo, mother to an infant son herself, decided it was time to act.
“I’ve wanted to do something for them for a while. When Mum said the van was breaking down, I just thought, ‘This is it. This is the moment.’ I remember thinking, ‘There’s no way I could walk 100 kilometres in 24 hours’ and that’s exactly when I knew I had to,” she said.
She’ll start her walk at dawn on Saturday, 5 July, in Portsea, aiming to reach the Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club in Kings Park within 24 hours. The journey will end with a community family event and silent auction, with live music, kids’ activities, and food – all donated by local supporters.
“The finish line will be huge, I’m walking those last few steps with Ayva and Jorja. Everything we’ve done is for them,” she said.
Ms Szabo hasn’t walked this path alone, her aunt, Nicole Botsman-Joyce, has been instrumental in coordinating support across the wider community, from contacting local businesses to running a sold-out fundraiser at Boronia’s Metro Cinemas, which raised over $4500.
“When Kelsey said she was doing this, I told her I’d jump on the donation side,” Ms Botsman-Joyce said.
“We’ve had donations from Puffing Billy, Holy Moly, Melbourne United, the Hawthorn Football Club, and a bunch of local businesses, from mechanics to pilates studios.”
The cinema night alone drew a crowd of 135 people.
“We were just hoping for 20,” she said.
For Ms Botsman-Joyce, the motivation is personal and urgent.
“This van will change everything. It means more independence, more mobility. But it’s also about awareness. A-T is so rare, people don’t understand how tough this is. We’re just trying to show that,” she said.
A video shared on the campaign’s Instagram page, @borrowedsteps, “A Day in the Life of Mum”, has drawn powerful reactions.
“Even for me, as Helen’s sister, it was eye-opening,” Ms Botsman-Joyce said.
“Watching her every minute of the day, it just makes you realise how much she gives, constantly.”
The name of the fundraiser is a tribute to the sisters Ms Szabo is walking for.
“To me, ‘Borrowed Steps’ means I’m taking the steps they can’t,” she said.
“Every step I take is for them, it’s love, it’s purpose, and it’s the least I can do.”
She’s been preparing for months, training at the gym three times a week and clocking up long weekend walks, including a 40km session on Saturday, 14 June.
So far, the campaign has raised over $28,000, with donations still rolling in.
On the day, supporters are encouraged to walk alongside Ms Szabo for any portion of the journey, cheer her on from the roadside, or simply attend the family event at the finish line.
“I wanted the end of this walk to be a celebration of everything we’ve done, together,” she said.
“We’ll have face painting, a jumping castle, live music, a sausage sizzle, it’s all been donated. We just want the community to come and be part of it.”
Ms Szabo said any help – big or small – makes a difference.
“If you can’t donate money or prizes, just come down and cheer us on. Share a post. Like a video. Walk a few steps with me. It all matters,” she said.
To donate, support, or follow the journey, visit @borrowedsteps on Instagram or Facebook. The GoFundMe link can be found via both pages.
“This is for Ayva and Jorja,” she said.
“They deserve to see more of the world and this van will help make that happen.”
