Sydney’s 15th Oxfam Trailwalker will get underway this morning, with the first gutsy walkers set to tackle the 100km trail from Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River to Mosman on Sydney Harbour.
Over the next three days, 511 teams of four will walk or run towards their goal of completing 100km of rugged Australian bush in less than 48 hours to help raise money for Oxfam Australia.
Throughout the weekend more than 700 volunteers will work in roles such as podiatrists, physiotherapists, drivers and “sweep teams” to clean up after the walkers, while more than 1000 people will act as support crews for each team, providing them with food and supplies.
Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney Event Coordinator Marcus Fehlberg said all the participants in this year’s event had shown incredible determination to get them to the start line. “Walking 100km is a real endurance challenge and it takes months of planning and dedication to get to this point,” he said.
“But none of this is possible without the unsung heroes, the support crews, and our eager and enthusiastic team of volunteers and staff who will be helping our Trailwalkers every step of the way.”
To take part in Oxfam Trailwalker, each team must fundraise a minimum of $1000, with the aim of raising $3 million overall for Oxfam Australia’s work helping people overcome poverty and injustice.
“The Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney teams have continued to impress with their commitment to raise funds to support Oxfam’s work around the world to fight poverty and injustice,” Mr Fehlberg said.
This morning the teams will set off in four waves at 7am, 8am, 9am and 10am. The fastest teams are expected at the finish line at George Heights Oval in Mosman as early as 7pm tonight, however most will take around 29 hours to finish and are expected to finish between 7am and 9pm tomorrow.
Interesting participants available for interview include:
- The Sydney mums in Team Walk who have raised more than $20,000 through grassroots fundraising (7am start)
- Older walkers showing that age is no barrier including 70-year-old Ken Newton (8am start) and 67-year-old Sue Ingham (10am start)
- Former Australian Survivor contestant Lance Brooks, whose team The Final Few have completed 13 Oxfam Trailwalkers and raised close to $85,000 for Oxfam (7am start)
Photo and filming opportunities are available 6.30-10am this morning at the start line at Parsley Bay, Brooklyn, and tomorrow from 9am at the finish line at George Heights Oval, Mosman.
For interviews or more information contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Chee Chee Leung on 0412 560 584.
Comments are closed.