A Hunter-based team of 25 trekkers has raised almost $150,000 for Indigenous education and health research.
The University of Newcastle’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges Challenge saw the group, which was made up of staff, alumini and community members, complete a 100-kilometre walk over five days through the remote Heysen Trail in the South Australian outback.
Participants included the university’s vice-chancellor, professor Alex Zelinsky AO, as well as eye surgeon Jeff Dobinson and his brother-in-law Richard Anicich.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Indigenous Australians are nearly three times more likely than non-Indigenous Australians to experience high levels of psychological distress, have hearing problems as children, and bilateral vision loss.
The Ikara-Flinders Ranges Challenge was the second trek of its kind that the university had organised to raise awareness and funds to tackle these challenges.
In 2017, a 65-kilometre Larapinta Trail Challenge raised $152,432 through the support of 950 donors.
With donations being accepted until Thursday 31 October, the Ikara team still has a chance to reach a target of $155,000.
Go to newcastle.edu.au/ikara for more or to donate.
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