A Trailwalk - Oxfam Australia

Team 325.

I still remember.

Physical torture for the ideal of a fairer world. Yes, I know it's crazy.

Once upon a time I was much against these gimmick-type events but I realised (the hard, stubborn way), sometimes it's what gets people to sit up and listen... and now I'm all for it.

A large part of my memory of 2006 is taken up with weekend walks into rough terrain, getting excited over Kathmandu sales, support crew jingles, cadbury raisin bars, coming up with all sorts of funny fundraisers (including a Trivia, a bowls day, a Eurovision dress up (organised and supported by my beloved legal colleagues, shout out of a special thank you to Lisa M!).

My inspiration for participating in the 2006 Oxfam Trailwalk was that in the year before, as a volunteer, I had registered a man who was blind, another with one leg on crutches, teams of grandmothers and grandfathers with bulging muscles.... these people I registered at the start of the 2005 event had all completed the walk.

There was no excuse. I had to do it.

In the end, Team 325 (a team comprised of 3 fit athletes and one tortoise (guess who?) raised $24,537 to go toward a vision to combat global poverty and injustice.

The picture above is of our supportive colleagues at registration.... I still remember their cheers :)

Oh and by the way, I had my own special moment out there on the trail... I got to walk next to Charlie, the blind man I had registered the year before. I walked with him and his team for a little while before having to go along my merry *cough* painful way to catch up with the rest of my team. It was an awesome feeling to be there standing next to him.

Elaine

Team 325 'In Hindsight'

Head of Cadbury Raisin Bars Committee (still)