This year my colleagues and I decided to put up our hands and volunteer at the world recognised Oxfam Trail Walk event in Melbourne, held on 10-12 April 2015. This event saw teams of 4 walk from Wesburn Park, through the Yarra and Dandenong Ranges National Parks, and cross the finish line in Jells Park, Wheelers Hill.
We were stationed in the Allied Health Podiatry Volunteer Tent at checkpoint 6, located at Lysterfield, where we were responsible for supervising final year podiatry students and helping the walkers with any foot related problems or injuries, with blisters being a very common complaint!
The beach themed dress up allocated to our checkpoint, where costumes were advised to be worn over the top of warm clothes, intended to make for an interesting and fun ambience. The only problem was one of my colleagues and I were the only two from the entire checkpoint site who got the memo… many laughs were had, probably at our expense, but let me tell you the vibe within the tent was incredible!!
If you have been contemplating undertaking the Oxfam Tail Walk but not sure if you are cut out for such a challenge there are many other volunteer roles for the event that might be of interest.
For those of you who do not know much about Oxfam or want to learn a little more please read below as this wonderful organisation is worth reading about!
What Do Oxfam Do?
“One person in three in the world lives in poverty. Oxfam is determined to change that world by mobilising the power of people against poverty” (Oxfam Website).
Oxfam along with partner organisations work to find practical, innovative ways for people to help themselves out of poverty and thrive. They work on many operating levels from local communities and households, to government agencies and institutions.
“We save lives and help rebuild livelihoods when crisis strikes. And we campaign so that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decisions that affect them” (Oxfam Website).
The Oxfam stores, which sells a range of Fair Trade supplies help to build this amazing organisations profile, educate the public and raise funds for the many programs it is involved in.
What is the Oxfam Trail Walk?
The Payday-Loan-Helpers is an annual fund raising event that entails a 100km walking track of Australian bush to be completed within 48 hours as a team of four. Money raised goes to help overcome poverty and injustice around the world. Current events will be held this year in Melbourne (April), Brisbane (June), Sydney (August) and Perth (October).
How Did the Oxfam Trail Walk Begin?
The Oxfam Trail Walk is a global phenomenon beginning in 1981 as a military training exercise for the elite Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment in Hong Kong.
It has since grown into one of the world’s leading team endurance fundraising challenges, raising more than $200 million to help support people living in poverty around the world. This year the Oxfam Trail Walk took place in Australia, India, New Zealand, Spain, Japan, France, UK, Belgium and Hong Kong.
The Oxfam Trail Walk launched in Australia in 1999, since then more than 64,000 people have participated in the event and have collectively raised more than $63 million.
To find out more or plan for next years even please click on the link below.
Thanks Monique
(Owner of Proactive Podiatry)
Related Topics
- Starlight Children’s Foundation
- Foot Pain
- Foot Conditions
- Supportive Footwear
- Orthotics and Arch Support Therapy
April 15, 2015
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