More than 1,000 eager Trailwalkers from across Queensland and further afield are busy preparing physically and mentally for next month’s Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane, which raises funds to tackle poverty and inequality around the world.
Oxfam Trailwalker is one of Australia’s largest charity fundraiser walks and the Brisbane event, now in its sixth year, will take place on 22-24 June.
About 260 teams of four have signed up for the 100km and 55km events, which kick off on Friday 22 June from Mount Glorious and on Saturday 23 June from Lake Manchester.
The teams will be cheered along and assisted by more than 320 volunteers and their own support crews as they take in some of Brisbane’s most stunning scenery en route to the Mount Coot-tha finish line.
This year, Brisbane teams hope to raise $1 million towards Oxfam’s vital work in empowering people around the world to lift themselves out of poverty.
Oxfam Trailwalker spokesperson Kate Jeite-Delbridge said the Brisbane 2018 event had drawn a number of return participants who thrived on the idea of pushing themselves towards a shared goal.
“Brisbane Trailwalker has a loyal fan base with walkers who relish the chance to come together in a team and work towards a unified goal,” Ms Jeite-Delbridge said.
“Beyond the demanding physical aspect, which requires a tonne of preparation and stamina, Trailwalker is a huge test of one’s wits and so a supportive team and crew are key to completing it.
“Knowing every step is raising more much-needed funds to help Oxfam’s work tackling global poverty is another big part of what sees a team through to the end.”
Among the new participants this year are 20 walkers from Singapore, five teams of four called the Fitness Family, who are specifically travelling to Brisbane for the event.
“This is the first time any of the Fitness Family team members have attempted the Oxfam Trailwalker event in Australia,” Ms Jeite-Delbridge said.
“The five teams, who are passionate about raising money for Oxfam’s work tackling poverty, are all sitting in the Brisbane 2018 event’s top 10 fundraising teams – a fantastic effort.”
The only Fitness Family team member who lives in Australia, Forest Lake resident Seivland Poh, walked the 100km trail with a friend and a GPS over the Easter weekend to chart the entire track for the rest of her Singapore-based team members, who won’t arrive in Brisbane until late June.
“The trail is so beautiful. I can’t wait to share it with the rest of the teams,” Ms Poh said.
Teams or individuals interested in registering or volunteering for the 100km and 55km can visit trailwalker.oxfam.org.au/Brisbane
For interviews with teams from your area or more information, please contact Renee Thompson on 0418 873 782 or reneet@oxfam.org.au
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