Vet’s extreme outback trek for pets

The Port Hedland man who vowed to walk the Gibb River Road solo in 12 days has completed his mission and raised

close to $1500 in the

process.

Greg Chamberlain (pictured) challenged himself to walk the full 660km of the notoriously tough outback track to raise awareness for a new RSLWA companion program, which matches unwanted pets with struggling veterans.

The army veteran and truck driver timed his walk so he arrived in Wyndham on the eve of Anzac Day.

“The walk was amazing and truly a privilege to meet so many kind and generous people on the Gibb River Road,” he said.

“The Anzac dawn service was also a privilege, as I was asked to read the Ode.”

“I had a few challenges to overcome to achieve and finish the walk.”

The 50-year-old, who broke one knee on the Kokoda Track and had doctors recommend amputating the other at one point, said he got the idea to do something extreme to support veterans after his own struggles adjusting and receiving poor support from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Starting at the Derby-Gibb River Road intersection on April 12, Mr Chamberlain finished his journey by walking up and running down the Wyndham Bastion.

The 12-day effort was helped by a collection of sponsors, including local business Smirkey’s Sports. “There are so many sponsors that made it possible to achieve a completely solo extreme ultra marathon,” Mr Chamberlain said.

Mr Chamberlain’s GoFundMe page remains open to accept donations for the companion program.