Punch Love: How long have you been a part of the Hawkesbury / Hills community
Kym Burton: I was born and bred in the Hawkesbury and it’s the only place I have ever known! I’m not going to say how many years exactly because that will give away my age but let’s just say it’s a pretty long time!
PL: Tell us about your organisation.
KB: I work for the local Pink Finss Charity which I established with my best friend Jodie Amor 10 years ago after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s been a huge passion of mine ever since Jodie’s diagnosis because I know first hand how helpless you feel when someone you love is diagnosed with cancer and this was my way of feeling like I was doing something about it.
PL: What is it about Pink Finss that you are most passionate about?
KB: I love being surrounded by women on a daily basis who inspire me. In the 10 years since we have been operating we have helped almost 200 women and each and every one has their own story to tell, and each and every one inspires us in a different way. When a woman is diagnosed with cancer they are faced with fear every day and I am always in awe of the way they radiate positivity, confront their fears regularly and the way they support each other through it. It’s such a sisterhood and I feel so lucky to have a job that I am passionate about and where I can make a difference to their lives.
PL: Pink Finss does so much work in the local community. It seems like everyone knows who you are! What are you most proud of?
KB: With our Charity we hold 2 major fundraising events each year to fund the work that we do. I am very proud that through these events we bring the community together and celebrate what they have helped us create and what they are a part of. It’s really nice to know that we give the community a means to help others because I know how important it is to feel like you are making a difference. We always have a great time too.
PL: Have you had any female mentors or women you have drawn inspiration from over the years that have inspired you to keep moving forward?
KB: I draw inspiration from all women really because I know the majority of them are just like me, going through the motions on a daily basis, trying their best and hoping that they are getting things right. It’s not easy raising children in this lifetime so I think we all need to pat ourselves on the back sometimes and acknowledge that we are all in it together, we all go through the same stuff but just keep trying our best and doing it with a smile. I have 2 favourite quotes… the first is “evolve or dissolve” which reminds me to keep trying to push yourself to improve or else you will disappear, and the second is a quote that Oprah said when I saw her present in Sydney in 2016 and that was “I am the master of my fete, I am the captain of my soul” which reminds me that I am in charge of my life and nobody else!
PL: When did you join the Punch Love community & what do you like most about it?
KB: I joined Punch Love about 6 years ago at a time when I was really struggling with some big changes in my life. Punch Love really was my release, and my saviour and gave me the confidence and courage to make some very big life decisions. I owe a lot to Punch Love and will always remember that time in my life as being where I found my freedom. #myfreedom
Pink Finss have their annual gala ball fundraisr this weekend. Look up the charity on facebook under https://www.facebook.com/PinkFinssCharity/
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