Inchigeelagh man John Kelleher is walking Australia's remote Simpson Desert in August to raise money for better mental health support in rural and remote Australia
INCHIGEELAGH man John Kelleher is walking Australia’s remote Simpson Desert in August to raise money for better mental health support in rural and remote Australia.
He is joining two Australian mates and Australian Desert Expeditions, a not-for-profit and registered environmental organisation, to assist in scientific and ecological surveys.
This scientific work includes recording evidence of ancient indigenous story lines in the remotest parts of the Simpson Desert not walked for centuries.
They will be travelling on foot and leading pack camels in the tradition of the fatal Burke and Wills expedition of 1860. That tragic and famous expedition was led by Galway man Robert O’Hara Burke.
The region boasts the world’s largest parallel sand ridge desert and the biggest wild river system on the planet.
Training has already started for John and his team by hiking the historic 161km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail which is the longest trail in Australia.
‘This is the third year that Harold Peacock has raised money for a mental health charity, first in World Heritage-listed rainforest, then in the Australian Alps, and now in the remotest part of Australia’s Outback,’ John said, ‘and I’m pleased to be joining him this year.’
John’s mate Harold is also a historian and writes for www.historyoutthere.co, where he will be documenting the journey.
Donations can be made worldwide at www.everydayhero.com by searching Simpson Desert Hike.
