Hit the road: Blaise White and Zac Dodds on their way.
Kim Waters
WHILE most Geelong students enjoy a hard earned break these school holidays, two cousins will attempt a 400 kilometre walk to New South Wales to raise money for cancer.
Seventeen-year-old Drysdale resident Blaise White and his cousin Zac Dodds, from Hamlyn Heights, began their fundraising expedition in Drysdale on Sunday.
The pair will walk between 37 and 40 kilometres a day and are scheduled to arrive in Blaise’s home town of Tocumwal, New South Wales on September 29.
Blaise said the walk was a tribute to his grandfather, who was diagnosed with cancer early last year.
“It’s a lot more tiring than I expected and we’ve both got a couple of blisters,” Blaise admitted on the phone to the Independent while walking out of Bacchus Marsh.
“There are bits and pieces during the day when you drop off, like if you see a big hill, and our legs are really tired.
“A good night’s sleep is probably the most important thing and the motivation we’ve received from friends and family.”
Blaise said the effort had raised $15,000 for Australian Cancer Research foundation and Andrew Love centre.
The amount was likely to increase during the week, he said.
“People have been driving past and tooting their horns or clapping us,” he said.
“We’ve had a lot of people pull over and personally donate money to the cause so it’s been really encouraging.”
Zac said he had jumped at a chance to take part when his cousin called with the idea.
“When Blaise first said he wanted to do this I was really keen to give him some company and pay tribute to our grandfather,” Zac said.
“I’m really excited about reaching the finish line. It will be such a great accomplishment.”
Walk manager Kerryn White said a party of friends and family will greet the boys at the finish line in Tocumwal.
“They’re going really, really well and we’re so proud of them,” Ms White said.
“At the moment we’re on target to reach NSW in the 11 days we had planned.
“There will be a few big days ahead and we’d like to thank everyone who has sponsored the boys and donated money for the cause.”
