Trekker eyeing good cause
THE generosity of the Toowoomba community is serving as inspiration for Janeen Gibson ahead of an 18-hour charity trek later this month.
The Highfields resident is busy preparing to take part in the inaugural Sunshine Coastrek in support of The Fred Hollows Foundation to restore sight.
Ms Gibson said she was left speechless at the giving nature of those who dug deep in aid of her cause.
“I really am just stunned at the reaction,” she said.
“I can’t believe the generosity we have received from Toowoomba and the wider community.”
The 55-year-old, who is no stranger to feats of physical endurance, holds the cause close to her heart.
While not having anyone directly impacted by the loss of sight, the foundation’s aim struck a chord with Ms Gibson.
“Losing your sight is the worst possible thing because you would lose everything,” she said.
The Toowoomba community is no stranger to coughing up for a good cause, but the city’s efforts this time have really gone above and beyond.
Rallying around Ms Gibson, the passerbys at sausage sizzles and anonymous donors online
have raised $2600, smashing the original target of $2000.
Her team still has plenty of time to reach $3000, with
the trek not getting started until July 28.
Ms Gibson is training and fundraising for the 60km trek with three friends who live in various parts of the Trapock region, forming part of a team called The Trapockers.
Ms Gibson will join trekkers from as far as Heathmere in Victoria and Mount Gambier in South Australia, as well as locals including 2004 Olympic gold medallist and Sunshine Coastrek Ambassador Libby Trickett.
Sunshine Coastrek features a 60km walk from Dicky Beach in Caloundra to Noosa Woods, with a Coastrek Luv Boat taking trekkers across the Mooloolah River to bypass busy roads and give teams a well-deserved break along the way.
Trekkers walking 30km will start at Maroochydore and finish at Noosa Woods.
Ms Gibson, a weekend warrior in her own right, has competed in a handful of half marathons as well as a full-length one in the past few years.
While many people at her age would struggle to make it up a hill without panting, Ms Gibson has a message for those who think physical endurance is a young person’s game.
“It is not,” she said.
“It is really simple, just like anything it all comes down to training.”
The Fred Hollows Foundation to restore sight has raised $18.5m since 2010.