By Russell Bennett
Adam Cheyne is a larger than life figure in Kooweerup’s sporting circles, but his kind spirit is even bigger.
The 44-year-old, who by his own admission tips the scales at ‘about 150 kilos’, walked a staggering 48 kilometres recently all in the name of raising funds and awareness for returned servicemen and women.
Cheyne, a former sapper, is a favourite of both the Kooweerup Cricket Club and Kooweerup Football Club and supports both however and wherever possible.
And a couple of Saturdays ago, that support was returned – from those involved in the local sporting scene, but also the community more generally.
Cheyne set himself a goal of walking the length of the Kokoda Track – 96 kilometres – throughout the month of March, while raising funds and awareness through the ‘Soldier On’ campaign.
The funds raised go directly towards Soldier On’s mental health services and programs so that – in their words – “our returned ADF members and their families can march on”.
By late on that Saturday night, Cheyne had already reached half his target distance – walking the 48 kilometres from the Kilcunda pub to the Kooweerup pub.
But he wasn’t alone.
Instead, he was joined on the trek by his great mates Scott Clark and Tim and Shannon Miller, with two other people close two him – Lisa Watt Brown and Bryan Wingfield – acting as their support crew.
The journey took an agonising 12 hours, with none of the group having done any training prior.
Cheyne said he was so spent upon his arrival at the Royal Hotel in Kooweerup, he couldn’t even get up to thank everyone who turned out for him.
But their support meant the world to him.
“I had the best mates right beside me, and I also had other people supporting me and showing up on the walk. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have been able to do it,” he explained.
“I’m ex-army, and I’m passionate about the diggers, so for me there’s better cause to raise money for. Maybe some of the money I raise will go to some of my mates.
That’s why I did it.”
Illustrating the power of mind over body, and of genuine team work, Cheyne said he got to Caldermeade – within just a few kilometres of the finish line – and almost gave in, before his mates rallied around him and gave him the spark he needed.
“My legs started hurting and when I got to Caldermeade I actually lost my mental strength completely and I just thought I couldn’t do it anymore,” he admitted.
“But the boys really stood by me when they knew I was really, really hurting.
“All three of them who did the walk with me are genuinely great blokes. They did every single step with me, and I’m so proud of them.
“To have mates who’ll volunteer to walk 48 kilometres with you for a cause that’s not even their own – that’s amazing.”
Cheyne said he’d take a few days to recover from the trek before smashing out the rest of his target distance in the remaining days of March.
Cheyne set himself a target of raising $2000 for the Soldier On cause, which he’s already eclipsed just a few days into the month of March. To donate, visit: https://fundraise.soldieron.org.au/fundraisers/adamcheyne/marchon
Those seeking help can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or by visiting www.lifeline.org.au; or MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78.
