Great Illawarra Walk

On Saturday 11 March, Team KidsWish battled high temperatures to walk 40km from Shellharbour to Austinmer for the 2022 Great Illawarra Walk. This event raised funds for the Illawarra Academy of Sport Para Sports Program (formerly known as the Athlete with a Disability program). The program is ‘designed to support the developmental needs of the regions talented Para Athletes by providing industry leading, high-performance sport development programs’.  

Events and Fundraising Coordinator, Tahlia May, reflected on her Great Illawarra Walk experience: 

“Completing the Great Illawarra Walk was a massive achievement for me personally. With zero training and a few nerves, I wondered if I would be able to complete the full 40kms. With the support of an amazing walking crew, the KidsWish team, I leapt (or should I say walked) into the challenge determined to complete the 40kms course with my colleagues by my side. We danced, we sang, we walked and walked and walked, all whilst taking in the beautiful Illawarra coastal views, to raise awareness and funds in support of young athletes living with disability. 

Once we reached the top of those dreaded stairs at Headlands Hotel, Austinmer, to cross the finish line, it was a mixture of excitement, relief, and exhaustion, followed by pride.  

Not only did we accomplish the entire 40kms course, but we also proved to ourselves that we could push through as a team and battle the heat, body cramps, blisters and those damn hills right at the very end together.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

At the conclusion of the event, KidsWish was delighted to be announced as the charity partner for the 2024 Great Illawarra Walk. This will be an amazing opportunity for our community to support KidsWish through this incredible event! 

Congratulations to all who completed the walk for a great cause.  

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