Tents and fluoro vests are building up in the Oxfam office in preparation for Trailwalker. We’re all pretty excited about the 550 teams who're undertaking the epic physical challenge in order to raise money for a good cause. But if you want to claim one of those fluoro volunteer vests, get in quick!
Here are 3 reasons why I am volunteering to help out at Trailwalker next weekend:
- 1. You don’t need to be a gladiatorial muscle-man to get involved. I, for one, know that after a few too many schooners and servings of large fries, I’m anything but capable of conquering 100 kilometres of bush terrain in 48 hours. But the good news is that these super athletes can’t do it alone so it is still possible for us ordinary humans to play a part. In their quest to raise at least $1000 each, these teams need support, cheering and snacks. This will all be provided in the form of 700 volunteers manning different checkpoints all the way from Parsley Bay in the Hawkesbury National Park to Sydney Harbour. So if you’re free anytime from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th of August, why not help make the event possible by volunteering?
- 2. Do you find that your friend-count can be largely reduced to the online realm? Are your nights spent alone at home making hummus from scratch, practising your ‘all the single ladies’ dance or watching entire seasons of the West Wing? Oh wait, that’s just me. Well here is the chance to get out into the real world and meet plenty of exciting new people. When you mix social activism and the outdoors who, knows what Emile Hirsch (circa ‘Into the Wild’)-type characters you might encounter...
- 3. Fancy drifting down the Mekong River in a long tail boat surrounded by a floating market? Or how about a dip in the emerald waters of the World Heritage listed Halong Bay? One lucky Trailwalker volunteer will win a trip for two to Vietnam including return airfares from Peregrine Adventures.
But there’s more to it than what’s in it for you and me. Last year, Trailwalker raised $3.3million and this year they’re aiming to top that. The money goes towards Oxfam projects in over 26 countries including Australia, helping to overcome poverty and suffering around the world.
Register here or contact Elle Booth, Volunteers Coordinator on (02) 8204 3924 or twvolssydney@oxfam.org.au
Image: Oxfam Australia/All rights reserved
