2018-08-17
Last month, 10 intrepid trekkers hit the Northern Territory's Larapinta trail to raise money for the Greens' federal election campaign – and had the experience of a lifetime along the way.
By Susan Griffiths-Sussems
Accompanied by Australian Greens Deputy Convenor Giz Watson, ten intrepid trekkers hit the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory on 30 July.
Triumphant, these amazing 11 trekkers walked 70 kilometres including from old Alice Springs Telegraph Station and to the peak of Mount Sonder in the moonlight to arrive at dawn. Along the way, they experienced some of Australia’s most breathtaking sights as they traversed the West McDonnell Ranges. And thanks to fundraising efforts along the way, they raised an impressive $39,440.
Back in 2017, National Council agreed to work with Inspired Adventures, a travel company dedicated to helping NGOs and not-for-profits raise funds and awareness for their cause. It’s a simple approach, and one that the Greens had not tried before. The model is simple: set up an itinerary to an amazing destination and ask people to join the adventure. In addition to paying for the opportunity, those people raise funds for the Greens.
There is no doubt that it is a big undertaking. On average, our trekkers raised $3,585 each, in addition to the travel costs for the trek. All funds raised are supporting our federal election campaign, and we wholeheartedly thank each and every one of our participants and those who donated to their fundraising efforts.
Now that the dust has settled for our trekkers, tales and images of their experience are making their way back to us. For Giz, one of the highlights came on the last night. “Each of us wrote a poem about our experience on the Larapinta Trail. It was such a great thing to do. Everyone had a slightly different perspective ... listening to each other around the campfire was just fantastic.”
Following on from the success of our first trek, we will be embarking on a second adventure.
This time, it's to the heart of Tasmania's wilderness. This trek will take in stunning Cradle Mountain and the ancient majesty of takayna/Tarkine, which is currently under threat of being opened up and exploited by mining companies, four-wheel drives and a reckless state government.
This is your opportunity to see and feel why we must fight to save it.
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WHEN: 17 - 23 March 2019
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HOW LONG? Seven day trip, four day challenge
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DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderately challenging
Would you like more information? Here is all you need to know.
Our participants on the Larapinta Trek have completed a survey, and have rated the experience as follows:
Overall experience: 4.67/5
How did it feel to do something personally challenging for the Greens: 4.33/5
How likely are you to join another Inspired Adventure: 4/5
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of our Larapinta trekkers. You have all done an extraordinary thing for the Greens, and we thank you, Susan, Michael, Kate, Ian, Caz, Mark, Stephen, Rob, Peter, Jared and Giz.
Susan Griffiths-Sussems is the Australian Greens' National Fundraising Coordinator and a Greens member.