EMERALD'S Daniel Porter and his team members are embarking on the Oxfam Melbourne Trailwalker for the second time.
The event began in 1981 as a military exercise for the elite Queen's Gurkha Signals Regiment in Hong Kong, and has since grown into one of the world's leading sporting challenges, taking place in New Zealand, Britain, Hong Kong and Japan. Belgium joins in this year.
Many who join up for Trailwalker do so as a personal challenge to complete the 100-kilometre trail in record time, but also to raise money for projects in some of the poorest communities in the world.
Daniel and team members Ari Shearer, Peter Sheridan and Phillip Imfeld, who are representing Hills Physiotherapy in Emerald, are taking up the challenge for two reasons - to beat last year's time and raise money for a great cause.
Last year, the foursome were "decimated" by dehydration and sore feet, Daniel says.
In fact, the event was called to a halt towards the latter part of it because of the extreme heat.
And while "memories of the pain have faded into the past, the anguish of not finishing as a team remains strong," Daniel says.
The team is determined to be better and quicker this time around.
Although this year may have a repeat of the blisters and sore limbs , Daniel and the team are aware that it's a small sacrifice for a great cause.
The team hopes to raise more than $5000 that will go towards reaching the organiser's target of $3 million.
Daniel says his team have been training individually, and getting together on the weekends to do the team runs.
In order to complete the Trailwalker, teams of four need to complete the entire trek together.
"The idea is not so much about being competitive, but it makes it a great challenge," Daniel says.
"We aim to be in the top 100 teams, as well as raise money for Oxfam."
Daniel says he became aware of Oxfam and what they do several years ago when a friend, also a physiotherapist, told him about the organisation and Trailwalker.
"I thought what a great challenge and a great cause.
"Anyone can do it - you don't have to run the distance.
"Last year, we saw many teams walking, camping out for the night in Mt Evelyn, then continuing on the next day - as long as you complete the challenge in 48 hours."
The only stipulation to enter the Trailwalker is that each team must commit to raising at least $1000 to support Oxfam's work in the 28 countries they work in, including Indigenous Australia.
Each team also needs a support crew to help them get through the event.
The Melbourne Trailwalker starts at 7am on Friday, April 11, from Jells Park in Wheelers Hill and ends at Wesburn Park in the Yarra Valley.
There are always volunteers needed as checkpoint co-ordinators, track marshals, drivers and physiotherapists.
To donate to Daniel and his team visit www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker and type in team number 407 in the space provided. All donations are tax deductible.
Daniel and the team are also holding a trivia night from 7am on Friday at Emerald Primary School's multi-purpose room at Heroes Avenue, Emerald.
Oxfam International is a worldwide organisation with more than 3000 partners in more than 100 countries.
Money raised through Oxfam campaigns go to grassroots projects, For instance, $765 can go towards a well and hand pump to give clean water to people in Laos; $850 for a sewing machine or start-up kit for a Mozambican woman to begin her own sewing business; $350 for a buffalo to a family in Cambodia, helping them to produce a bigger harvest; and $8000 can provide enough agricultural tools and seeds for two communities in Mozambique to improve their food security.
Details: www.oxfam.org.au or www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/mel bourne/
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