Dunn’s next trek for charity
Horsham’s Tom Dunn is running, riding and swimming from the westernmost point of Australia to the easternmost point of Australia to raise money for mental health.
His 9000-kilometre trek began on Monday at Steep Point in Western Australia and will end in Byron Bay, New South Wales.
Mr Dunn, 27, said he had a passion for pushing himself and building awareness for various fundraising organisations.
“This will be my fifth trip. The last one I did was the northernmost point to the southernmost point of Australia,” he said.
“That trip didn’t end quite how I wanted it to, so it made sense to go again, but from west to east.”
Previously, Mr Dunn has raised awareness and funds for Deaf Children Australia by stand-up paddleboarding and running 3750 kilometres through the Darling and Murray rivers, hiking for 21 days in the Himalayas to help abolish modern slavery, and kayaking the Murray River to raise money for Aurora, an early intervention centre for deaf and blind children.
To date, Mr Dunn has raised more than $100,000 for his chosen charities.
His west-to-east triathlon, which he has dubbed ‘Mental’, is a 6700-kilometre cycle, 300-kilometre swim and 2000-kilometre run.
He is self-funding the trip and raising money for mental health organisation, Livin.
“I’ve seen friends and family have a rough time in the past couple of years
and I wanted to support Livin,” Mr Dunn said.
“Coming from a rural area I think we don’t speak of mental health enough, so Livin’s message ‘It Ain’t Weak To Speak’ meant it was a perfect organisation to support. I hope this brings attention to a good cause.
“Livin has a positive outlook on mental health and I will go through some tough days on this journey, which I will share because I also want to show what it means to overcome that. When you’re committed to goals and what you want in life, it is worth it.”
Mr Dunn said his preparation was more mental than physical.
“There is a limit to preparation because you can’t mimic the types of rides, runs and swims at home,” he said.
“I’ll never be as fit as I am while I am doing the trip, so more prep is done mentally.
“I have done all my research and have Excel spreadsheets so I know exactly how far from town to town and what I have left to go.
“When I am physically fatigued, that is the information I need to push on.”
Mr Dunn hopes to complete the journey in fewer than 120 days.
“I would love to do it in 100 days, but looking at the weather and vicious headwinds for the first few days it’s going to be a tough start,” he said.
“The cliché thing to say is that I’m looking forward to finishing the trip most, but I think I am looking forward to the people and places.
“I think I am 50 kilometres maximum away at all times from a scenic lookout, so I am fortunate to be able to see all these places.
“It’s also amazing to be able to stop and talk to locals to learn more about each place I visit.”
Mr Dunn said people can follow his journey on social media pages ‘What has Tom Dunn’ and on Zerosixzero, a live tracker for his journey.
“Follow my journey and when I come past you, make sure to give me a wave,” he said.
People can donate to Tom’s chosen organisation via www.mycause. com.au/p/296416/mental-9000kmtriathlon