In July 2015, 29 intrepid travellers hiked the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia to raise funds for Amnesty. Hiker Sharon shares her experience.
I have recently completed a goal that I started over a year ago – raising funds for Amnesty by hiking the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia.
I am not a professional that I can give of myself, like a doctor or lawyer, to make a difference to humankind. I am not one of the people on the ground, going into places like Syria, Iraq, Burma and even outback Australia, who put their lives on the line to make the rest of us aware of the injustices and harm to our fellow human beings.
I am, however, someone who has been able to donate for over eight years to help Amnesty with their causes and I truly believe in what they do.
So with this in mind I replied to an email last year asking if I would help them raise funds by trekking the Larapinta Trail.
A daunting proposition
The information both intrigued and scared me. I knew I could walk to help people but it scared me because how could I, with a recovering knee injury, walk 65 kilometres? And I knew nothing about fundraising. I dragged my heels trying to decide and then the trip filled up. Well that was lucky; there was no room so now I didn’t have to decide. Then I received a second email. There had been a lot of response so they opened up a second trip. Well, I knew I had to go, put my fears away and just do it. So I signed up because I knew, really, all I had to do was walk.
Well, I knew I had to go, put my fears away and just do it. So I signed up because I knew, really, all I had to do was walk.
I spent a year fundraising and learning about what I had inside of me. I learnt a lot, including things I did well, things I was lacking in and things I had to shake my head at, but I met my goals and then the time came to actually walk my walk.
Along with the fundraising, I trained. I walked farther and farther, loving the process and sometimes pushing myself to the point of injury. But I recovered and kept going, kept moving and was finally rewarded for all my efforts.
Time to walk!
In July it was time to meet my travelling companions and guides in Alice Springs. Then together we headed out into the desert for five days, traversing 65 kilometres of the Larapinta Trail and sleeping in swags under the stars. We walked during the Australian winter where some of the nights were quite cool but the days were sensational.
It was one of the best things I have ever done. Not only did we raise $102,000 for Amnesty but we also got to spend time with like-minded people, which brings you closer to your soul. Some brought their own challenges and conquered them. Some found new challenges and inner strength, some left us all in awe of their abilities and some just plain found themselves out on that trail, myself included.
Some brought their own challenges and conquered them. Some found new challenges and inner strength, some left us all in awe of their abilities and some just plain found themselves out on that trail, myself included.
The experience was truly life changing and I urge you to take up a cause and work toward something that makes you glad you are alive and part of something special.
This article originally appeared on My Inspired Life
