We did it! The two Connecting Images teams survived the challenging 100 kilometre 2006 Oxfam Trailwalker Challenge - or 88.5kms of it. Unfortunately, due to shocking weather conditions on Mt Donna Buang, we were deprived of a our final glory of reaching the summit of Mt Donna Buang. The track was officially closed at the last checkpoint, but that’s all the more incentive to make it to the top next year!

While we are very satisfied to have arrived to the official end of the trail relatively unscathed and intact, it really was the journey that counted. The care and encouragement of our staunch support crew and others who turned up at each checkpoint (even in the early hours of the morning in pouring rain), those who joined us during our training hauls and others who walked with us along the way during the event.

The text messages and calls of encouragement through that long, long night, the nourishing (and delicious) catering donated by Sue and her team at Gnaw, and the care and magic touch of Andrew Kokinos from Peak Physiotherapy (hardly a blister between us!) were invaluable. And of course, those who took the opportunity to dig so deeply were totally inspirational. The generosity of our supporters (including so many of our clients) resulted in more than $15,935.00 being donated to Oxfam Australia and its ongoing work for international aid. Collectively, our two teams ranked eighth highest fundraiser.

We already have a few starters for next year’s event - if anyone is interested in joining us, the sense of achievement is supreme on many levels - why not give it a go? Congratulations to Gaye, Amy, Anne, Mary, Viv, Kirsty, Jessie and Merilyn and again our heartfelt thanks to all those who took this opportunity to make such a difference.