Ten intrepid walkers set out from Bathurst yesterday (May 28) on a charity walk that will finish at the Lapstone Hotel this Saturday, June 1.
The Great Walk Foundation has raised more than $450,000 for local charities since a group of mates from Penrith and the Mountains decided to tackle the epic trek six years ago.
Woodford’s Trent Baker said the fundraiser has become a major event from humble beginnings.
“It really is just a bunch of mates who wanted to give back to the community they came from. . . Not only does it make you proud of what you do, but it makes you proud of your community when they want to support the cause,” he said.
That support was on display at Nepean Hospital earlier this month when the foundation presented a cheque for $50,000 to the hospital’s infants ward. The hospital will rename the ward after the Great Walk Foundation in recognition of its support. Other charities to benefit from the $115,000 raised from last year’s walk include Springwood Hospital Auxiliary, Penrith Community Kitchen and Lifestart Nepean.
As a podiatrist in Penrith, Mr Baker is a crucial part of the walking team, using his professional skills to keep everyone on their feet each day. “Invariably people still get blisters and muscle strain . . . There’s lots of different injuries but luckily no-one has ever had a major injury like a fracture,” he said.
Other walkers include Jonathan Green, Rob Wearn, David Crossman, Mark Mulock, Greg Nelson, Tony Bowden, Graham O’Kell, Cameron McInnes, and Brendon Kop. After five years trekking down the Great Western Highway, the walkers have gained a local profile.
“There’s a great vibe [on the walk]. People know us now when we walk through. They see the logo on the shirts. We get a lot of horns honking at us and people waving . . . They are very supportive,” said Mr Baker, 40. The public can welcome the walkers home on Saturday from 6pm at the pub and/or follow the group’s progress on the web at greatwalkfoundation.com.au or via their Facebook page.
