When Chris Lovatt walked from Shellharbour to Botany Bay in 2008, he thought that would be his first and last 100km charity walk.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On March 18-19 the Great Illawarra Walk founder will look to complete his 10th straight 100km walk.
In the process the Kiama resident has helped raise more than $530,000 for Illawarra children in need, supporting organisations such as Camp Quality, the Denny Foundation, Southern Youth and Family Services (SYFS) and Wollongong Hospital’s Neonatal Unit.
The Great Illawarra Walk started as a result of a casual conversation between Mr Lovatt and Shellharbour coffee shop owners Darrel and Cleo Pitt.
“We thought it was a one off,’’ Mr Lovatt said.
“We supported Camp Quality. We were hoping to raise $10,000 but ended up raising $25,000. Camp Quality were over the moon and ever since then it has just grown. We’ve raised over $530,000 so far. I hope to reach the $1 million mark in the years to come.’’
Hundreds of keen walkers have participated in the walk since the first back in June 2008. Participants in 2017 can choose to walk any distance between Shellharbour and Coalcliff over the two-day event.
‘’I’ll be doing the 100kms once again but people can walk as little as one kilometre if they like,’’ Mr Lovatt said.
Importantly all proceeds from the event will go to SYFS. Great Illawarra Walk ambassador Dan Hunt said it was great the event was raising money for SYFS and youth mental health.
“Walking is a really good action to do and it is an action where you talk...and one of the best coping strategies for managing your mental health is being able to talk and communication,’’ Mr Hunt said.
“The theme of the event is walk and talk, which is great.
“Chris and the Great Illawarra Walk team have been doing some great things over the years and it is only going to be bigger and better this year and I’m very proud to be the ambassador of this walk.’’
Mr Lovatt added the walk was a great way for the community to get together to support children in need.
“The needs of children and young people are vitally important and we have been proudly supporting Illawarra children through this event for the past 10 years,’’ he said.
“We rely on sponsorship and the efforts of a passionate team of volunteers to make the event go ahead.
“Everything we provide our walkers, including the walk t-shirt, is donated, which means the full registration fee and all subsequent donations are given to our chosen charity.’’
Visit www.greatillawarrawalk.com to register.