Starting 17 May, Sean Dromey, Wes Graffin and Michael Pugh will don their hiking boots and rucksacks and trek for 30 hours through the lush and remote rainforest of Paluma Range National Park.
“We will encounter a mix of challenging and picturesque landscapes, making the journey both demanding, but also visually stunning,” Townsville Hike and Explore President Michael Pugh said.
“The 53 kilometre off-trail section is a complete unknown and will be our biggest challenge. It takes us from Paluma, all the way to Forestry Road in Bluewater and we will be hiking a good part of this section during the night, which has never been attempted before,” Michael said.
“We’ve chosen to raise funds for the Cowboys Community Foundation, specifically NRL Cowboys House, because of their commitment to providing educational opportunities and support for young Indigenous students from remote communities which aligns with our group’s values of community support and empowerment.”
Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said it was wonderful the local group had chosen to support the Townsville-based program.
“Locals supporting locals is fantastic and it’s great for our students at NRL Cowboys House to understand that people care,” she said.
“For these three hiking enthusiasts to bravely take on such a challenging trek, and for the community to get behind them through donations is extremely humbling.”
NRL Cowboys House is managed by the Cowboys Community Foundation and is a home away from home for 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from remote communities who otherwise would not have access to secondary education through to year 12.
Hiker Wes Graffin said he was passionate about community service and this adventure was another way to give back.
“We have raised more than $15,000 for Cancer Council Queensland across two previous charity hikes and also run events to raise much needed funds for Scouts Queensland and other local clubs,” Wes said.
“I have always loved the challenge of hiking, immersing myself in the great outdoors and at many times, testing my physical and mental limits and knowing it’s making a difference to others makes it even more enjoyable.”
Sean is similarly driven by a love for adventure and the desire to challenge himself physically and mentally to raise money for an important cause.
“There’s no doubt this hike is daunting, but after witnessing the positive impact NRL Cowboys House has on young people and the greater community, the decision to join in was easy,” Sean said.
“We believe this hike will not only raise essential funds but also awareness about the importance of education and support for Indigenous youth,” he said. “We encourage everyone to support our cause and join us in making a difference.”
Donations can be made online here and you can stay updated on the journey via Townsville Hike & Explore's Facebook page.
If you are interested in fundraising for Cowboys Community Foundation's life-changing programs contact our team at enquiries@cowboysfoundation.org.au
