Walking the Kokoda Track is a gruelling march through 96 kilometres of jungle terrain that puts hikers through mud, sweat, and tears.
However, it still does not compare to the challenge of living with Motor Neuron Disease (MND).
According to MND Australia, two people are diagnosed and two people die from the illness every day across the country.
That’s why Melton local Sarah Lock is one of 17 people raising money for not-for-profit organisation MND Victoria to help sufferers and their families by walking the famous trail.
She recently hit the $5000 mark after a Big Freeze inspired ice bath challenge event in August, and the group are only $7000 short of their $100,000 goal.
Ms Lock said she “feels aligned” with the cause and wants to help in as many ways as possible.
“As a personal trainer, my job is to help everyone move their body – MND does the reverse of that,” she said.
“I feel compelled to encourage people to be grateful for what their bodies can do because in the blink of an eye it can be changed.”
“MND Victoria have services for both those battling the disease and the carers to make sure they are supported.”
It also provided an opportunity to achieve a life long goal of walking the infamous Kokoda trail, where the Anzacs fought Japanese troops in a major battle during World War Two.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but it was put on the backburner because I had kids. When I saw I could do it as a fundraiser, I couldn’t unsee it – in my eyes, if I was going to do it it would be for a greater cause.”
With less than a month to go before she sets foot in the jungle, Ms Lock is ready – but you can’t be too ready for something like this.
“I think no matter how much I train and mentally prepare, I’m not going to be equipped for what I’m going up against. But it’s not a race – I’ll take it all in,” she said.
“It’s going to be hard but so rewarding.”
Donate: www.mnd.org.au/my-fundraising/1629/sarah-lock
