A RUNNER raising money for heart disease research has passed through the Wimmera this week.
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Gary Wilmot is running from Perth to Brisbane in a bid to raise $1 million for the National Heart Foundation.
Mr Wilmot said he wanted to demonstrate to people that everyone had the ability to change their life.
“I used to weigh 143 kilograms and I knew I had to make a change,” he said.
“I lost 30 kilograms and now for me it’s all about promoting an active life and lifestyle changes.
“I wanted to do something against the obesity epidemic sweeping not only Australia, but the western world, and I decided to raise money for the heart foundation at the same time.”
Mr Wilmot travelled through the Wimmera on Monday and Tuesday.
He plans to be in Brisbane on September 17, about four months after he left Perth..
“The target has been set for $1 million, which might or might not occur during these four months, but we will keep raising money until we hit the target,” he said.
“My run is also a launch of a bigger event that will be an annual virtual fun run, where anyone, anywhere can join in.
“It will be each May in the future, people can register online, nominate their distance and either run it, walk it, or crawl it.
“We are encouraging people to organise events in their parts of Australia.”
Mr Wilmot said the idea came to him while he was on the Nullarbor.
So far Mr Wilmot has raised almost $5000.
“The big take away for me so far has been the people,” he said. “This trip really restores your faith in the human spirit.
“Lots of people stop on the side of the road to check I haven’t broken down, other people have donated fruit, water, bread.
“People have been lining up to help out.”
Mr Wilmot said so far the journey was going well.
“My body is holding up and the feet are doing okay,” he said.
Mr Wilmot said people could go to heartsacrossaustralia.com or the Hearts Across Australia Facebook page to donate.