They trained, they raised funds and they did it.
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The team of 14 people, led by local couple Mark and Jenny Heanly, who set out on an adventure to conquer Kokoda have returned with smiles on their faces and a satisfaction that can never be taken away from them.
The couple, with their best friends and two of their children embarked on the adventure last month to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation.
To date, the Cooktown to Kokoda campaign has raised a massive $68,000, which is well above the original goal of $50,000, however now Mr Heanly is striving to reach the $100,000 mark.
Nearly a month later sitting in his office in Scone after starring on Sunrise last week, Mr Heanly told The Scone Advocate he has been completely re-calibrated.
“It was life changing for me.
“The whole experience was just amazing, to stand there and read poetry written by the soldiers when they were at Kokoda and understand what our soldiers went through was pretty emotional,” he said.
“The entire 14 of us were bawling.
“I would recommend everyone do Kokoda at one time in their life.”
In perfect weather, the Heanly’s started their mission with an 893 kilometre bike ride from Cooktown to Cape York across the corrugated red dirt of the north.
The second leg of the adventure was a 212 kilometre kayak from Cape York across the Torres Strait, which Mark and his close mate Paul Murdoch did alone.
The team of 14 completed the Kokoda Trail together to wrap up the 1200 kilometre trek.
Mr Heanly said the most challenging leg for him was the kayak as it was a long time to sit paddling in a kayak for 10 hours a day, causing circulation issues and discomfort.
He said the finish was by far the most exciting and doing it as a part of a team of 14 people was fantastic.
The team will be holding another fundraising event at the Willow Tree Hotel in Scone next Saturday, October 25.
The cocktail style event will be a social evening with raffles, and an opportunity to take a look at photos and footage from the trip.
Mr Heanly said he is phenomenally happy with the amount they have raised, especially since the majority of the funds have come from individual ‘mum and dad’ supporters.
To donate to the cause, visit the website at www.cooktowntokokoda.com/