General News
5 October, 2023
Walking for special kids
CAMPERDOWN mum of two Jess Lyne is aiming to raise $10,000 for the Very Special Kids charity in her ‘great walk’ along the Great Ocean Road.
CAMPERDOWN mum of two Jess Lyne is aiming to raise $10,000 for the Very Special Kids charity in her ‘great walk’ along the Great Ocean Road.
The courageous 36-year-old will begin her solo journey from Apollo Bay next Monday and plans to reach the 12 Apostles by around noon on Thursday.
She will walk the 105 kilometres unaided along the Great Ocean Walk, stopping at various locations overnight.
“Originally I had planned to walk along the road but after speaking with VicRoads I realised it was logistically difficult,” Ms Lyne said.
“Someone told me about the Great Ocean Walk so I opted for that route instead.”
While the distance isn’t of concern to this self-confessed fitness enthusiast, the thought of camping overnight at the various checkpoints on her own is one of the greatest challenges.
“If I’m honest I’m abit of a chicken when it comes to being on my own in the dark,” Ms Lyne said.
“I’m still working on the final details but I’ll just wing it if I have to. I’ll be carrying everything in a back pack; I think my Spotify playlist will be my best friend.”
Ms Lyne will be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast over the weekend and is hoping for dry conditions throughout the week.
“But there’s nothing I can do about the weather so I’ll just keep my fingers crossed that it stays dry,” she said.
“I’ll probably average around 30 kilometres each day. I’m not really into sports but I do a fair bit of running, although I haven’t really done much training for trail walks carrying a pack.”
With two children of her own (aged nine and four), and as a nurse, Very Special Kids is a charity close to her heart.
The charity provides holistic palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and tailed support for their families – through life, death and bereavement.
“As a registered nurse I deal a lot with palliative care, but when you throw the word paediatric in front o that some people shut down, it’s like a taboo subject that no-one wants to talk about,” Ms Lyne said.
“My heart really goes out to those families going through those circumstances; saying goodbye to someone they love and have lost.
“It’s extremely sad but through fundraising events like this walk we can help those families and if I can help somebody then I’m already winning.”
With support and encouragement from her husband Matthew and her family and friends Ms Lyne has already raised just over $8000.
Her aim is to reach $10,000 by next weekend.
Anyone wishing to donate to Very Special Kids can follow the link of Ms Lyne’s Facebook or Instagram pages.