She didn’t move one step outside Katherine’s Town Square but Alicia Bannerman travelled 330 kilometres over a week ago, raising nearly $7500 for the Cancer Council along the way, with hopes of more to come.
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The treadmill trip was a huge effort for the RAAF Leading Aircraft Woman, especially when her feet began to swell and her joggers wouldn’t fit.
Alicia originally planned to walk from the RAAF base at Tindal, where she’s stationed, to the sister base in Darwin, but had to modify her plans when she was unable to obtain necessary permits, instead opting to undertake a similar distance via a treadmill.
Being turned down – a decision she understands, because of the road trains and blind corners – probably turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“I feel I have been given more donations as people have been able to see me complete it (the walk) and come down to have a chat,” Alicia said.
Each morning she was at her station by 5.30, ready to set off on her stationary journey by 6am, finishing some 12 hours later at around 5.30pm.
She was off to a good start on days one and two, feeling great emotionally and striding out for 60km on each of those days.
Swollen feet on day three put major physical and mental roadblocks in her way, but community support carried her through.
“People came and offered to do kilometres for me. People I had never met told me I had inspired them and they wanted to support me.
“I didn’t like this at first but people wanted to get involved and it was all for one cause.”
Thanks to this, Alicia was able to rest on the Wednesday, and made up for the kilometres others had done on her behalf, at the end, and was able to claim the full 330km journey that she set out to do.
Alicia admits to getting a little emotional on the final day.
“On the Saturday, those final steps, there was a large group of people there to support me.
“They’d made a sign saying RAAF base Darwin as that was where I was meant to be finishing.”
When she stepped off for the final time, she was presented with a bouquet of flowers and crowned with a banner.
The impact of cancer upon Alicia’s own family gave her cause, and every step towards her goal, extra meaning.
Her uncle passed away about a year ago, due to the disease, and she lost her stepdad the same way.
If the opportunity came, Alicia said she would probably do the same thing again, being assured of so much community support.
“And the amount of money that was raised – I never thought I would get close to $7000. I wasn't sure if I would even make the $5000 target.”
The opportunity to donate to Alicia’s cause closes in just a few days time.
If you would like to support the cause, you can donate through the Facebook page Walk for a Cure, Not All Wars are Fought with Guns.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
