He might have been tired and suffering from blisters on his feet but Gary Cooper received a heart-felt welcome at Tewantin when he finished his long walk for children impacted by domestic violence.
Gary, 39, from Cooran, is visually impaired and non-verbal but that did not stop him walking more than 100km from Pelican Waters to Tewantin in the course of six days.
With his mother Roz, and friends such as Tara Wallace, Lauren O’Neill and Amy Price, they followed the Sunshine Coast Coastal Pathway on the journey.
Speaking at Noosa Marina in Tewantin last Thursday evening at the end of the journey, Roz Cooper said that Gary was a great walker.
“When you see such a worthy charity, accepting a challenge is so easy,’’ she said. “The work they do.
“Gratitude keeps us going.
“We’ve had a fortunate life … that carries us so far.
“It develops a deep and caring love for those around us.
“Gary might have blisters on his feet but he is such an inspiration.
“It’s such a joy to have someone to love … that’s a blessing.’’
The evening at Harbour Wine Bar at Noosa Marina was attended by members of the Zephyr Foundation, which provides support and resources for children throughout Queensland.
The foundation supports the educational needs of children in 96 shelters and family services organisations from the Gold Coast to Weipa and west to Mt Isa.
More than $3000 was raised at the night, with the $20,000 target expected to be reached after donations are counted.
