Michael Collins and David Tuckwood will be marking guide posts with their progress as they make their 830-kilometre fundraising trek from Weipa to Cairns. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
“The fun’s finally started.”
It’s not a mindset many of us would adopt after knocking off the first 25 kilometres in an epic 17-day, 830km trek from Weipa to Cairns, but western Cape York’s favourite fundraisers – Michael Collins and David Tuckwood – have never been accused of being the status quo.
The pair are running to the Far North Queensland capital to raise money for the Cape Animal Protection Shelter (CAPS) and Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), and celebrated getting the initial stint of their adventure under their feet on Friday morning.
In a bid to avoid Cape York’s testing daytime conditions, Mr Collins and Mr Tuckwood will be covering 50km each day in two bursts – 25km from 4am and 25km from 5pm.
About $15,000 for CAPS and nearly $3,000 for the RFDS Far North Mental Health and Wellbeing Service had already been raised before the pair made it past the East Weipa haul road crossing on 22 August, with Mr Collins admitting it had been a relief to finally get the run under way.
“The fun’s finally started,” he said as he and his running partner signed their names on stickers they will place on guide posts along the Peninsula Developmental Road to mark their progress.
“We’re not trying to hit any pace records, or set any world records, or anything like that.”
Mr Tuckwood agreed there was no race mentality, adding they were approaching the marathon task ahead as “being out for a run with a mate”.
If you spot their stickers, the men are urging motorists to post selfies with them using the hashtag #c2c4c – Cruisin’ to Cairns 4 CAPS.
For anyone wanting to deliver snacks to the men on their journey, red snakes, bananas, watermelon, chips – salt, and salt and vinegar – and Powerade are high on their wish list.
“I love purple, and he likes green,” Mr Tuckwood laughed.
David Tuckwood and Michael Collins make their way over the East Weipa haul road crossing on Friday morning. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
