I am going to be walking 14,418km around the circumference of Australia whilst pushing a wheelchair in support of 4 Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Charities: MND Association, My Name5’ Doddie Foundation, MND Australia and Fight MND.
All money raised on this page will be split 50/50 between MND Australia and Fight MND (Australia based charities).
On Monday 3rd March 2025, I will be setting off to walk around the entirety of Australia using the route I have created which is 14418km (8958.93 mi) in length starting and finishing at The Sydney Opera House. This route passes through Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Gold Coast and several other places along the way. I wish to do this whilst pushing a wheelchair for the whole journey to symbolise the struggle carers and sufferers of MND have on a daily basis. I hope to complete this challenge within a year.
I am aware that this is a huge task, however I am in the fortunate position where I am fit and healthy attending the gym on a daily basis. I believe all sufferers with MND who can no longer walk would do anything to even be able to walk down the street.
In April 2024 I was sat in the front room of my family home watching rugby with my dad. During the halftime interval, my mum came in and was talking about the actor who plays Paul (MND Sufferer) in Coronation Street and how well he portrayed the illness. This led to further conversation about Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir, both ex rugby players who suffered with MND and how this must have been for them and their families. I had thought prior to this of doing a challenge in Australia and mentioned that I could do something for MND, such as walk around Australia whilst pushing a wheelchair, to which my mum said, ‘do it then’. Which is where this idea was born.
Following this conversation; I contacted all four charities with my fundraising idea, and all four have been very supportive and helpful.
Although Motor Neurone Disease has not impacted myself or any of my family members, I am aware that there is currently no cure, and this could happen to anyone at any time, the effects on both the individual with the disease and their families being devastating. Therefore, there is no better cause for which to raise money.
For those of you unaware of MND, please copy and paste the link below into your browser:
https://www.mndaustralia.org.au/mnd-connect/what-is-mnd/what-is-motor-neurone-disease-mndBefore you close this page, please consider how this disease could impact yourself and your own families should any be unfortunate enough to be affected by it.
Thank you for taking your time to view this page; any donation no matter how big or small will be gratefully received by both charities.
If you would like to keep updated with my progress, you can follow me on my social media platforms where I will post regular updates, all of which can be found on the link below:
https://linktr.ee/whistysworld
Passed you on the road between Norseman and Kambalda. You are an inspiration.