After her tragic death, the partner of Belinda Green has gone the extra mile to keep her legacy alive.
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Ms Green, 25, died on April 15, in a collision on the Princes Highway two kilometres south of Narooma.
A week before, she had intended to walk in The May 50K campaign, for MS Research Australia.
Ms Green was first diagnosed with a very aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), aged 16, but remained fit and healthy.
Come the end of May, her partner Winston Fowler finished the 50km fundraising walk and shared a message on Facebook.
"Instead of 50kms, I completed 100kms for both of us. We did it beautiful," he wrote.
Mr Fowler said she never let the incurable disease impact her living.
"I have seen scans that are impossible not to be shocked by," Mr Fowler wrote.
I am so damn proud of this woman and how she took all of this in her stride
- Winston Fowler
"Over the years medications progressed and Belinda began to focus on doing anything she could to help her MS.
"By regularly exercising and making some big changes in diet (me slapping chocolate out of her hand and being in the dog house for hours after) we actually were beginning to see some of the tissue reforming due to not having any more attacks.
Most people would not have known Ms Green was living with MS.
"I am so damn proud of this woman and how she took all of this in her stride," Mr Fowler shared.
"I want to see a world without this shit of a disease and research really is the key."
To continue Ms Green's legacy, the community and beyond also walked in her place and raised over $11,000.
There were generous donations from her hometown of Hill Top in the Southern Highlands as well as Ms Green's workplace, LJ Hooker.
At the Narooma Ice Creamery, a bucket sat on the counter to collect donations and staff tips in Belinda's honour for MS Research Australia. Kristy Beecham of the Ice Creamery said $2000 had been raised so far.
"We will be keeping the bucket there until another family or someone is in need, we like to help out in the community as much as we can" she said.
Ms Green was a former employee of the Narooma Ice Creamery. Ms Beecham said her life was taken too soon.
"She was very hardworking, nothing was ever a problem and she gave everything a go," Ms Beecham said.
"Her infectious smile and personality brought joy to the shop; for someone who wasn't here for very long, she definitely touched a lot of people."
Neurological implications can be a hard slog for MS sufferers, but Ms Green always looked after herself.
"I had no idea she had MS for quite some time," Ms Beecham said.
"She always took good care of herself, and wouldn't let it get her down."
Ms Beecham said she was a confident and strong woman, and would turn heads in her stilettos.
What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. It is characterised by sclerosis a Greek word meaning scars. These scars occur within the central nervous system and depending on where they develop, manifest into various symptoms.
MS affects over 25,600 in Australia and more than two million diagnosed worldwide. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20-40, but it can affect younger and older people too. Roughly three times as many women have MS as men.
There is currently no known cure for MS however there are a number of treatment options available to help manage symptoms and slow progression of the disease.
Information from the MS Australia website.
