Faulkner to be honoured at Australia’s toughest endurance charity challenge

Tomorrow 2000 people will attempt to walk the combined equivalent of five times around the world to raise around $3 million for international aid agency Oxfam Australia.
Widely regarded as one of Australia’s toughest endurance charity challenges, Oxfam TRAILWALKER Sydney will see 500 teams of four attempt to walk or run a 100km course stretching from Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury to Mosman in under 48 hours.
The 2000 walkers are of all ages and will cover the equivalent of 2.5 marathons at a range of paces, with the fastest expected to take as little as 12 hours and slowest making it in just under 48 hours.
Among those taking part is Defence Minister Senator the Hon John Faulkner. His team ‘Easts Masters’ currently leads the fundraising competition, having to date raised over $25,000 in sponsorship.
Senator Faulkner, his team mate Tim Russell, and George Wieckmann and Theresa Reynolds of team ‘Sorry and Sore’ will tomorrow become the first of more than 30 000 participants in the event’s history to take part in five consecutive Sydney and Melbourne Trailwalkers.
PICTURE OPPORTUNITY:
What: Defence Minister Senator the Hon John Faulkner, Tim Russell, George Wieckmann and Theresa
Reynolds will be recognised as the only people to have taken part in five consecutive Oxfam
Trailwalker events and will be awarded ‘veteran’ status by Oxfam prior to the 9:30 event start.
Where: Parsley Bay, George Street, Brooklyn NSW
When: Media to assemble at starter’s platform by 9.15am for the presentation, prior to 9.30 event start.

Originally conceived as a military training exercise by Gurkhas based in Hong Kong, over the 11 years of Oxfam TRAILWALKER in Australia walkers have helped raised over $25 million for Oxfam Australia’s work to help communities around the world overcome poverty and injustice.
Oxfam Australia spokesperson Leigh Stewart said Oxfam Trailwalker is a true test of endurance and certainly no walk in the park.
“These are everyday Australians who challenge themselves to the limit to raise money for Oxfam’s work to help people around the world find lasting solutions to poverty,” Ms Stewart said.
“Finishing Trailwalker once is a major life achievement. Completing four and then going for a fifth is quite amazing.”
Organising Oxfam TRAILWALKER relies on the support of its principal sponsor global financial organisation State Street as well as 2000 people who act as support crew for teams and 700 volunteers who work as trail marshals, drivers, cleaners and physiotherapists over the two days.
Teams set off on Friday August 28 in three waves at 7.00am, 8:30am and 9:30am starting at Parsley Bay, George Street, Brooklyn.
The first teams are expected around 7.30pm on Friday evening at Georges Heights Oval, Mosman and the majority of teams will cross the finish line from 7am Saturday August 29.
For more information, to sponsor or follow the progress of teams visit www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/sydney/
To cover this event, for interviews with an Oxfam spokesperson or Trailwalker teams, contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Sunita Bose on 0407 555 960.