WALKING ALONG: Friends Cameron Jones and Megan Flynn hit the Wimmera while walking from Melbourne to Adelaide. They aimed to raise $20,000 for the Make-A-Wish foundation. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
SEARING Wimmera weather and the threat of bushfires have halted a pair in the middle of a fundraiser walk from Melbourne to Adelaide.
Friends Megan Flynn and Cameron Jones started the walk on Saturday last week to raise money for Make-A-Wish, which grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The pair passed through Dadswells Bridge on Thursday and camped in Horsham overnight.
But despite tackling Friday's extreme weather and being halfway through the walk, the pair were forced to call their efforts to a stop early.
Mr Jones' father Kerry Jones was the support crew, following in a car.
Kerry Jones said after about 20 kilometres of walking on Friday, the group stopped just outside of Pimpinio at 2pm.
"It was 55.1 degrees on the road,'' he said. "It was just too dangerous. We drove through to Dimboola.''
Mr Jones said on Saturday morning Cameron and Miss Flynn were both unwell from previous day's heat.
"The fact there was the threat of bushfires and the hot weather, we decided to terminate at Dimboola,'' he said.
"It was for a great cause but I don't think endangering people's health and wellbeing is worth it.
"If we got caught in a bushfire, not knowing the area is too risky.''
Mr Jones said Miss Flynn aimed to make up the final leg of the 700-kilometre trek through an initiative at her gym in Melbourne.
Miss Flynn said on Friday she had enjoyed the walk so far.
"I don't know if I've still got my feet there or not,'' she joked. "We've had our ups and downs but it's all for a good cause.''
Miss Flynn said she first decided to do the walk in 2010, after footballer Shane Crawford completed a marathon trek from Adelaide to Melbourne.
She said she and Cameron met online through a Biggest Loser initiative and decided to undertake the challenge together.
Miss Flynn, 38, said people could donate to her fundraiser at www.everydayhero.com.au/megan_flynn_walkforawish.
She aims to raise $20,000.