Chris Lovatt gets in a last-minute stretch before the Great Illawarra Walk. He is pictured with other walk committee members Jason Gow, Martin Merritt and Ruth Lovatt. Last year the walk raised $47,000. Picture: PAUL JONES
ACHES and pains all over your body are a small price to pay for helping children with cancer.
That's the view of the organisers of the 100-kilometre Great Illawarra Walk.
"It hurts," organising committee member Chris Lovatt said with a laugh.
"You wake up on the Sunday morning and you hurt in every part of your body.
"You think, 'there's no way I can do that again', but once you start doing it again, you're okay."
Mr Lovatt also said given the bigger picture, the temporary hardships weren't a great concern.
"The pain is minimal compared to what the kids [with cancer] are going through," he said.
The sixth annual event will take place this weekend.
On the first day, walkers travel the 50 kilometres from Shellharbour Village to Coalcliff, before returning to Shellharbour the next day.
Participants can complete the entire 100 kilometres or walk a shorter distance on either day.
"Some people try and go a bit further every year," Mr Lovatt said.
Mr Lovatt's tips for surviving the walk included wearing quality footwear that have already been worn in, staying hydrated and changing your socks twice on each day.
St George Illawarra forward Trent Merrin will also be lending his support.
"I took part in the i98FM Camp Quality Convoy this year and got quite a buzz from it, and when I saw this advertised, wanted to get involved," Merrin said.
"Compared to what these kids go through, this is nothing."
To date, more than $200,000 has been raised by the event for Camp Quality, a charity dedicated to creating a better life for children with cancer, and their families.
Last year, 550 participants raised $47,000. Organisers hope to reach a total of $1 million eventually.
For details, visit www.greatillawarrawalk.com.
