Registrations are open for all four Oxfam Trailwalker 2017 events, with more than 6,000 Aussies expected to take part in the endurance challenges in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth with an aim to raise over $6 million to help fight poverty and injustice at home and around the world.
Teams of four will tackle 100km bush trails and have 48 hours to complete the challenge, making it suitable for people of varying fitness levels. Brisbane also offers a 55km and Perth has a 50km, with both courses to be conquered in 24 hours.
Each team pledges to raise at least $1,400 for Oxfam Australia, with an average $3,500 collected by the teams taking on the challenge. The teams are supported by more than 2,800 volunteers and 6,000 support crew.
Tom Weir is the oldest participant so far registered to tackle next year’s trek. Mr Weir will be turning 80 years young just in time for Oxfam Trailwalker Perth, which is his fifth consecutive event.
“With the right mind-set I can achieve much more than I could have imagined,” Mr Weir said.
“Running across the finish line in our first event, arm-in-arm and forgetting the pain, was probably our most memorable moment.”
Natasha McConnachie’s team – A Million Miles – is topping the Sydney fundraising leader board. The team has already raised over $1,400 of their $5,000 target, with more than 250 days to go.
A Million Miles is walking together for the first time and using the event to kick-start a healthy lifestyle.
“We have all come so far with our health and fitness over the past year, so we decided to join forces and take on the biggest challenge of our lives yet to date,” said Ms McConnachie.
Since 1999, over 78,000 Oxfam Trailwalkers have raised more than $77 million for Oxfam Australia.
Oxfam’s Events Marketing Manager Simon Barwick said that participants loved the opportunity of taking part in teams of four.
“As we give two days for people to walk 100km, this also means that the event is accessible to people from all walks of life and all levels of fitness,” Mr Barwick said.
“The event is not a race, it’s a challenge and we hear every year of the personal mental and physical challenges that everyday Australians overcome to take part in this event and of the life-long friendships that are formed along the way.”
When one person in three lives in poverty worldwide, the money raised by Oxfam Trailwalker participants is crucial to supporting Oxfam’s work to empower people to lift themselves out of poverty.
Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne kicks off on 7-9 April; Brisbane on 16-18 June; Sydney on 25-27 August; and Perth on 22-24 September.
For interviews or more information, please contact Megan Giles on 0433 028 567 or megang@oxfam.org.au
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