Final teams cross the finish line at Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane

Media Releases article written on the 19 Jun 2016

Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane has come to a close with the final team – ‘Team 479 iWalk – Cookies Monster’ – crossing the finish line this morning after walking 55km in just under 24 hours.

About 956 people took part in the event, raising funds to help Oxfam Australia fight global poverty. Participants were required to walk either 95km in under 48 hours or 55km in 24 hours.

The biggest fundraising team at the event, ‘Team 001 Time Wounds All Heels’ – Tess Palmer, Alexandra Gasteen, Amy Vincent and Sarah McNally – raised nearly $14,000 for Oxfam.

“This is one of the best things we’ve done this year – it’s brought us closer together, we’ve learned a lot about how we each overcome adversity and it’s helped us reflect on how other people in the world deal with hardship,” Ms Gasteen said.

“This is a great event to support, as Oxfam does a lot of special things around the world that resonates with all of us and we are passionate about supporting.”

Other top fundraising teams included: ‘Team 019 3rd Time Lucky’, ‘Team 048 Blisters on Buderim’, and ‘Team 063 Trail Mix’. Two teams took part in both the 55km and 95km events – ‘Team 004 Midnight Juggernauts’ and ‘Team 045 Trail Addicts’.

Oxfam Australia Events Marketing Manager Simon Barwick praised all those who took part.

“We are thrilled to announce that participants are on track to raising nearly $800,000 dollars at this year’s Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane, which is a sensational effort,” Mr Barwick said.

“Everyone involved in the event should be really proud of what they’ve achieved because the money they’ve raised will help change lives around the world.

“Our thanks to the walkers, support crews and volunteers for all their hard work and dedication to helping Oxfam Australia fight global poverty and injustice.”

Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane statistics:

  • Of the 139 teams who started the 95km trail, 68 (49%) finished as a complete team of four.
  • Of the 100 teams who started the 55km trail, 74 (74%) finished as a complete team of four.
  • Average time to complete the 95km was 28 hours and 28 minutes.
  • Average time to complete the 55km was 15 hours and 10 minutes.
  • Average team fundraising was $3,030.

Queenslanders have donated about $6 million to Oxfam Trailwalker since the Brisbane event began in 2011. More than 60,000 people have participated in the Australia-wide event since 1999, collectively raising more than $65 million for Oxfam.

Registrations for both the Sydney and Perth events are still open. For more information go to: www.trailwalker.oxfam.org.au.

To arrange interviews or for more information contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Bianca Wordley on 0407 799 365 or Laurelle Keough on 0425 701 801.