Nine eager walkers have just returned from a strenuous five-day trek from Bathurst to Blaxland, the ninth annual walk for the Great Walk Foundation team.
The group managed to raise almost $100,000 for various charities around the Nepean / Blue Mountains area, with a goal set at $10,000 for each person.
Local solicitor and Board member of the Great Walk Foundation, Mark Mulock, said it was an extremely successful trip.
“In terms of funds raised, it was a really great trip and now a number of local charities will be able to benefit from that,” he said.
“I think the event continues to be successful because local people are taking up the challenge and 99 per cent of the funds raised are donated and distributed to different local charities in various ways.”
In terms of the charities that receive portions of the funds raised, the Great Walk Foundation aim to help charities that make a difference by helping those that are less fortunate.
The team donate to Lithgow and Katoomba hospitals, the children’s ward at Nepean Hospital, Great Community Transport who transport elderly and disabled locals, the Riding for the Disabled Association, and Springwood Hospital’s rehab centre, just to name a few.
“We keep our options open when it comes to donations but if we see an organisation that does assist in those areas we definitely look at donating to them,” Mr Mulock said.
Over the five days, the longest day walked by the troop was around 34 kilometres.
The staff at Vincent restaurant in Glenbrook also joined in on the challenge.
While they could not physically participate, staff members gave up their tips for a few months and managed to raise close to $2500 towards the end total.
Despite the sore feet, the walkers will be back again next year.
“We are really looking forward to next year, being our 10th anniversary, we are hoping for a great fundraising total,” Mr Mulock said.
The team believe they will crack the $1 million mark in funds raised over the 10 year period of the walk next year.
