Meet Our Trekkers

Trekkers Photo	Trekkers Name	About Me
	Donna George	What can be said about this lady that has not already been said. Our fearless leader has conquered the Kokoda Trek, climbed Mt Kilimanjaro, tackled the Sandakan Death March in Borneo and now faces yet another challenge of walking Larapinta. You may ask why does she do it, well she does this all for the children of Camp Quality.
	Emma McCabe	Adventure, a physical and mental challenge, explore the outback and charity work. These are all the things I was hoping 2017 would yield. When I glanced at the Trek Larapinta poster that Donna had placed on the wall of our gym, I had to look twice. Trek4Kids embodied all of what I was looking for. I signed up that evening! My two young sons are a little apprehensive at the prospect of being away from their Mum for 16 days. However, they are learning about the importance of generosity in a world that is becoming increasingly self-involved. As I encounter the mental and physical challenges the trek is sure to deliver, I will be thinking of my late brother John, whose life was cut short by cancer at the age of 20. My late Mum will also be in my thoughts. It was but only a month ago that her eyes lit up with joy during one of our many conversations regarding my impending journey. I foresee that the trek will be an experience consisting of breath-taking scenery, camaraderie, a night-scape like no other and hopefully very few blisters.
	Fiona Williams	I am Fiona and I am a mother of two boys – aged 10 and 6.,I work in Human Resources for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and love the team and the work that we do. I joined the Camp Quality Larapinta Trek because I wanted to do something physically and mentally challenging for my 40th birthday (which is the day after the Trek).,At the same time I love giving back to the community and wanted to raise funds for a reputable and valued charity – Camp Quality ticked all those boxes. I am pretty fit but also reasonably uncoordinated so it’s the downhills I am worried about as well as the blisters. I can’t wait to join our fantastic team on this walk, see beautiful Australian scenery and learn more about myself and others.
	Ali Kimmorley	I’m Ali Kimmorley and I’ve been ‘addicted’ to undertaking Camp Quality Challenges for close to 10 years now.,I first got involved in Camp Quality following the loss of my nephew Harry to Brain Cancer at the age of 7.,At this sad time my husband Craig and I decided we wanted to help spread the word and fundraise for Camp Quality so they could provide much needed support through their camps and other programs to other children living with cancer.,I have now undertaken walking the Kokoda Track, the Death March in Borneo, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, riding 3 x 1000ks For Kids Bike Rides and I’m now excited to be walking the Larapinta Trail.,Being able to help fundraise for Camp Quality is extremely rewarding and I have met some wonderful people doing these challenges who have become very special friends.,I’m sure Larapinta will not disappoint and we will have an amazing time, even though it will be very challenging trekking for 16 days!
	Ellen Fleming	Hi I'm Ellen, I am stepping into this adventure with the never ending support of my amazing husband and 2 children, my mum sister & cousins, and the team at Tranter Lawyers. The opportunity to take part in this Trek came soon after losing my dad to a sudden stroke and was the impetus I needed to 'Just Do It'. I had many fears entering this challenge including the fundraising and attaining the level of physical fitness to complete the 223km's, but life is reminding me that doing small things continually leads to great results. I can't wait to see what the 16 days bring to myself and the team, and am looking forward to the fun, laughter and the inevitable tears and blisters!!!
	Leanne Turner	Hi, I'm Leanne Turner a 50ish retired boutique owner and hairdresser from Pokolbin NSW. Being married with two adult daughters (who can now fend for themselves) provides me with the time to take up this wonderful opportunity to help those who need it most. I very much look forward to the adventure and meeting new friends, but not so much the tired feet at the end of each day, though surely there will be massages and wine on hand to provide welcome relief. See you all soon.
	Jodi Cooper	I’m Jodi and I’ve been married to my wonderful husband, Pat for 24 years in July and we have a beautiful daughter, Grace, who is 19 and a volunteer with Camp Quality. I’m heading off on this challenge with lots of support from family, friends and my fantastic Corporate Sponsor, Bayside Jewellers in Nelson Bay. I’m very excited and a little bit nervous about taking on the Larapinta Trail. I decided to do the Camp Quality Trek4Kids because I wanted to challenge myself and do something important for other people. Camp Quality is such a wonderful charity and I’m inspired by the great work that they do. I’m hoping the trek will increase my fitness (which has started happening!) and I’ve already met some really fantastic people who are taking on the challenge so I’m very much looking forward to sharing the experience with them.
	Rachel Cameron	Hi my name is Rachel Cameron. I'm 23years old and currently work as a disability support worker. I am very passionate about my job and find it very rewarding. I have been brought up with Camp Quality being part of my life, the phase "it's for the children" is really lived out in our family. When the opportunity came up to do this trek I jumped on board for two main reasons one being I wanted to challenge myself and see what I was capable of and two I wanted to really do my part in making it aware of how much of a difference this charity makes to the children it supports. I am hoping to complete this track knowing you can push yourself to your full limits and a little bit more. Every step and blister will be for the children and that will get us all over the line.
	Rodney Clarke	Hi, My names Rod. I joined the Camp Quality Trek 4 Kids team after hearing about the great work Camp Quality does for kids and their families living with cancer. I am a keen Trekker, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to help raise awareness and some much needed funds for a fantastic cause. Some say I am crazy for signing up to walk 223km's in the desert with fourteen women, but after meeting the team I know I will be fine and I am looking forward to this amazing journey.
	Carol Compton	Carol Compton here. I’m 65, married to Tony, have a cat called Zac and a dog named Dylan. I’ve been a volunteer with CQ for about 9 years and was honoured to receive Newcastle CQ Volunteer of the Year award last year. In 2010 I trekked Kokoda and in 2014 the Sandakan Death March in Borneo to help raise money for CQ. These have been amazing experiences with wonderful people and I am looking forward to more of the same with the Larapita crew.
	Josie Carmody	Hi, I am Josie AKA Jose` I am 22 years young and am the baby of four siblings. Having lost family members to cancer, Camp Quality has always been a charity close to my heart. I Joined Camp Quality Trek Larapinta because I wanted to be involved in something that gives back to the community and helping families in the fight against cancer. Not having any hiking experience, will make this an adventure I will be sure to remember. Completing this trek will be a huge personal achievement. I am really looking forward to being apart of our amazing team, and sharing lots of laughs and a few tears along the way.
	Kristy Laney	Hi, my name is Kristy I'm 26 years old and work as a purchasing officer I come from a big family and love being an aunty to my two adorable nephews. I have been volunteering with Camp Quality for a while and signed up as a companion when I was 18 and love being able to attend the camps with the awesome kids. I first got involved with the CQ challenges when the 1000ks 4 Kids began and was overwhelmed with the passionate and kind hearted people I met who became a second family to me. I can't wait to take on this challenge with a great bunch of people, raising money for an amazing cause and getting the opportunity to see some picturesque sights along the way.
	Mieke Whitford	Hi, my name is Mieke and I'm a Camp Quality volunteer. I've been volunteering for Camp Quality for about two years now, and it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of this organisation. CQ does one of the most important jobs there is: allowing kids to be kids, no matter what. I've seen first-hand the incredible work they do, and the joy they bring to the lives of families who have been to hell and back. I am honoured to be doing this trek to help them in some small way. The Larapinta Trek has been on my bucket list for a while and I couldn't pass up this opportunity. The trek will combine all the things I love: hiking, volunteering with CQ, and scaring my parents! Let the fun begin!
	Shari Nichol	Hi I am Shari and I am proud to be the Fundraising Coordinator for Camp Quality Newcastle. Unfortunately I am not sporty, I am scared of snakes, I love showers and my own bed and really don’t like walking. So why did I sign up to trek the Larapinta Trail for 16 days? To cherish life, to be challenged physically and mentally, to meet other caring people, and to do something more for the children of Camp Quality and their families. While away I will be drawing strength from my family and friends whom I love dearly and from the many stories I have heard during my time at Camp Quality. I have always enjoyed laughing, having fun and dancing so my friends have told me when the going gets tough to dance my way along the track. I plan on using that advice!