A 137km charity walk will set out from Bundaberg this weekend with three Sydney-based Rotarians preparing to trek the coastline between Bundaberg and Rockhampton.
Organiser Julian Day, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Drummoyne, said he was looking forward to returning to Bundaberg for the walk.
“There are three of us, myself plus Dr Bronwyn Cooper (podiatrist) and Anne Denning,” Julian said.
“We do a walk about once a year.
“The last one was from Noosa to Bundaberg, and before that Brisbane to Noosa.”
The trio traverse the coastline with a goal to stick as close to the water as possible.
Julian said conditions were sometimes tricky.
“What we’re doing is actually quite challenging; each walk takes a fair bit of planning.”
In the first day alone the charity walkers will require three “lifts” over water including Yandaran and Baffle Creeks.
The group has received plenty of support from local Rotary groups for their journey and are planning to attend five different Rotary Club meetings on the way.
Julian said he had been thrilled with the response from local businesses with offers of free accommodation throughout the fundraiser.
Their goal is to raise $3000 for the Gumma Gundoo Indigenous Maternal & Infant Outreach based in Rockhampton.
Previous charity walks have seen the trio raise $50,000 for various charities.
Julian said he had walked the entire New South Wales coast and that was when he started looking north to Queensland for new adventures.
He said he loved walking in the Bundaberg area.
“Stunning, absolutely stunning, that’s why we do it,” he said.
“It’s really, thoroughly enjoyable having the scenery. It’s a wonderful bit of coast.”
Personal story behind charity walk dedication
There’s a personal story behind Julian’s dedication to charity walks after being diagnosed with bone cancer as a young child.
“My parents were told when I was one and a half that I probably wouldn’t walk again,” he said.
“Here I am at 62 years of age continuing to do these things.”
Anyone wishing to support the group on their charity walk can meet with them at a planned picnic in the Botanic Gardens at 1pm on Saturday or contact a local rotary group.
Julian said throughout the walk they would also be promoting the Waterline Challenge to be held in November.
