Australia Wheelchair Walk for MND

Billy Whiston is going to be walking 14,414km around the circumference of Australia whilst pushing a wheelchair in support of 3 Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Charities: MND Association, My Name5’ Doddie Foundation and MND Australia.  
  
On Thursday 2nd of January 2025, Billy will be setting off to walk around the entirety of Australia using the route he has created which covers 14414km (8956.44 mi), starting and finishing at The Sydney Opera House. This route passes through Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Gold Coast and several other places along the way. Billy will be making it all the more of a challenge, by commiting to push a wheelchair for the whole journey to symbolise the struggle carers and people living with MND have on a daily basis. The goal is to finish the challenge before the end of 2025.  

Billy said: 
"I am aware that this is a huge task, however I am in the fortunate position where I am fit and healthy attending the gym on a daily basis.  I believe all sufferers with MND who can no longer walk would do anything to even be able to walk down the street.    
 
In April 2024 I was sat in the front room of my family home watching rugby with my dad. During the halftime interval, my mum came in and was talking about the actor who plays Paul (MND Sufferer) in Coronation Street and how well he portrayed the illness. This led to further conversation about Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir, both ex rugby players who suffered with MND and how this must have been for them and their families. I had thought prior to this of doing a challenge in Australia and mentioned that I could do something for MND, such as walk around Australia whilst pushing a wheelchair, to which my mum said, ‘do it then’. Which is where this idea was born."

To find out more about Billy's challenge, to make a donation or to follow his journey on socials please click here.

Australia