Ringing in by mobile phone on his trek from near the Western Australian/South Australian border, the walker said he was 28 Kilometers west of the small town of Eucla.
“I am feeling fine. The feet are a little sore. I spend my time doing a lot of thinking about life, politics, religion, love, the universe, everything really,’’ he said. “I do miss my family but it is all worth it because funds raised will go to several “great institutions” including the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
“I am eating a lot of baked beans and tuna and have covered about 1900 Kilometers pushing a converted baby buggy. I have just got mobile phone coverage back so that is greet news.’’Gibbens – a registered nurse, husband and father of one – said he was on track to venture a staggering 5300 KM from Perth to Sydney to raise funds for Cancer Research. He has named his fundraiser the “Cure Cancer Challenge”
Gibbens’ motivation is a tribute to his close friend and mentor who died from cancer in 2007, as well as all of the cancer patients (and their loved ones) that he has encountered during his time as a nurse.
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“I get a lot of trucks honk their horns as they drive by and a lot of people are stopping to wish me well and offer me water,’’ he said.
“I have also collected more than $3000 in roadside donations which is just fantastic.’’He said he was proving regular radio updates for ABC Perth which was closely monitoring his walk.’’ Gibbens said he hoped to make it to Adelaide in about 18 days and then Sydney a month after that.
As Mark is walking across four Australian states, he has chosen a cancer charity in each state to be the beneficiaries of his fundraising. ACRF has been the chosen charity for NSW. Funds will be raised in Western Australia for the Children’s Leukemia and Cancer Research Foundation Inc, in South Australia to the McGuinness McDermott Foundation, in Victoria to the Prostate Cancer Research Consortium and in New South Wales to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF).
Gibbens has decided to dedicate each day to a person or people with experience of cancer. You can nominate a person for his dedication walk either through this blog. At the start of his journey the Children’s Leukemia and Cancer Research Foundation organized a send off party from Princess Margaret Hospital Perth with notable patron ex-Australian cricket star Justin Langer, some Subiaco Footballers and several kids with cancer.
In Adelaide, Mark said he plans a walk through the city, a stop at the Children’s Hospital and then a walk around the Adelaide Crows Football stadium during the teams match there against fellow AFL side St Kilda. More promotions and events are being planned for both Melbourne and Sydney.
Further updates of Mark’s remarkable journey will be added on to the ACRF website during the walk.
To nominate someone for a dedication, click here
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