Tomorrow morning 2000 Australians will set off on a gruelling 100km walk – about seven times the distance of the City to Surf – in a bid to raise vital funds for 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 rugged bush track 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 run the course in as little as 12 hours and slowest walking it in just under 48 hours.
Oxfam Australia spokesperson Jane Denning said that 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.”
“We are encouraging people to sponsor teams and support their extraordinary efforts to raise money for Oxfam’s important and often lifesaving work.” Ms Denning said.
Over 4000 people are involved in Oxfam TRAILWALKER Sydney 2010 whether as participants, support teams or event staff. The 2000 walkers range in age from 18 to 68 and come from most suburbs in Sydney and some from across NSW and interstate.
Another 760 people will volunteer in roles such as podiatrists, physiotherapists and track marshals, drivers and another 1000 people will lose sleep over the weekend to act as a lifeline to each team, providing them with food, band aids, hugs, clean socks to help them keep walking.
Among those taking part in this endurance challenge is Nova National radio presenter and former Cleo Bachelor finalist James Kerley and his team The Sock Boys who have pledged to walk the first and last 10km of the trail wearing only a sock if by 7.00am, Friday August 27 they have raised over five thousand dollars for Oxfam’s work.
Already Trailwalker teams taking part in the Sydney event have raised more than $2.2 million dollars and are on track to reach the $3.2 million dollar target for Oxfam Australia.
Originally conceived as a military training exercise by Gurkhas based in Hong Kong, over the 12 years of Oxfam TRAILWALKER in Australia walkers have helped raised over $31 million for Oxfam Australia’s work to help communities around the world overcome poverty and injustice.
Teams set off on Friday August 27 in three waves at 7.00am, 8:30am and 10:00am starting at Parsley Bay, George Street, Brooklyn. The first teams are expected around 7.00pm on Friday evening at Georges Heights Oval, Mosman and the majority of teams will cross the finish line from 7am Saturday August 28.
For more information, to sponsor or follow the progress of teams visit www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/sydney/
To cover this event, or for interviews with an Oxfam spokesperson or Trailwalker teams, contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Charlotte Greig on 0404 111 919.
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