The Blue Mountains Trek for Timor is a biennial trekking event held to raise funds for crucial education and development projects in Timor Leste.
Trek for Timor 2020 has been thwarted by fires, storms and COVID-19 so there was no way to safely organise a physical trek this year.
"Instead, we are hosting a virtual trek - you will see the steps you take in your own part of the world as if you are trekking in East Timor - so you can participate from anywhere and continue to support our wonderful projects in Timor," said organising committee member Susan Ambler.
The Virtual Trek for Timor is a fundraising event based wherever trekkers are, or wherever they like.
Trekkers will commit to walk 10km, 20km, 50km or 100km cumulatively over the month of October 2020 - or 'Trektober' - and raise at least $200 per person. You can sign up from Saturday, August 1 at www.trekfortimorbm.org.au and start organising walks and sponsors.
"Trekkers will be able to track their own journey on a personal page on the website, and as the kilometres accumulate you will see your trek taking place along a simultaneous route in Timor Leste," said trek organiser Dave Ludenia.
"You will be virtually walking from the capital Dili, on the north coast, all the way up to the sacred Mount Ramelau, the highest point in the country at nearly 3000m above sea level."
As trekkers add their kilometres along the virtual route they will discover many fascinating historical, cultural and environmental stories along the way, and will end up in Hatobuilico district where the money raised by trekking will be used and appreciated by everyone.
Sign up to the Virtual Trek for Timor at www.trekfortimorbm.org.au.
