In April this year, Melissa Pilkington of Mt Lawley Rotary is embarking on an adventure of a lifetime – walking the Kokoda track to fundraise for Rotary partner organisation Shelterbox.

Imagine a situation where you have lost everything. What would you and your family need to survive?

Shelterbox provides disaster relief to families through distributing big green “Shelterboxes” full of all the necessary aid items for a family to survive, including a tent as temporary shelter, mosquito nets, water filters, water carriers, solar lights, cooking sets, blankets and mats. Mel’s goal is to raise $3 500 for Shelterbox through people sponsoring her to do Kokoda, so in late April this year (for Anzac Day), Mel will walk in the footsteps of World War II soldiers and trek 96 kilometres over eight days through the wilderness of Papua New Guinea.

For Mel, this is a physical challenge, a mental challenge and a fundraising challenge that will have flow-on benefits to people around the world. Mel also have a family connection to her journey through her grandfather who served in New Guinea in World War II.

Mel is currently in training and Mel would like to share her journey with us, as she works towards being physically and mentally fit enough to spend eight days walking two kilometres an hour (because that’s how hilly it is!), eating rice and tuna, washing in the river and trying to avoid getting dysentery and malaria!

This is a great example of the way we can get involved with serving the community through Rotary but at the same time set ourselves a personal challenge.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Shelterbox.