8 March 2017
Meet the trekkers – Nicole Mackay
Brisbane mother of two, Nicole, has very bravely taken on the gruelling task of trekking the Simpson Desert for young people with high care needs. We sat down with Nicole to chat with her about this crazy adventure.
What motivated you to take on the challenge?
I love doing challenges for charities; I’ve done the Kokoda trail and similar challenges. It’s all about pushing myself out of my comfort zone and I love doing that for good causes.
The Simpson Desert is an unforgiving place, what are you most scared about?
Probably the extreme heat and having to walk in it for ten to twelve hours a day. Staying hydrated will be difficult and we have to be very wary of heat exhaustion.
You have a Gala Dinner coming up to help with your fundraising. I heard that Lisa Curry, who is on her own personal challenge at the moment with “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here”, is going to be the guest speaker. Tell me about this event and how people can get involved.
That’s right, I’m hosting a Gala Dinner on the 29th of April. Lisa has kindly donated her time as a speaker for the night. Her partner, Mark Andrews who is an impersonator, has agreed to be our entertainment! If anyone would like to get involved, I am still looking for sponsorship for the event as well as raffle prizes and people can also get on board by purchasing tickets to attend – getting a group of ten together to get a table or even individual seat tickets. Visit Nicole’s website for more information.
There will be hard times in the desert, what will get you through?
Remembering why I got involved in the first place – the young people that we are helping. They don’t get the same choices that we get in life so I will be able to push myself through it by remembering what they go through every day.
How do you hope your fundraising and participation in this challenge will help young people with high care needs?
I’m hoping to generate awareness for the cause – make people realise that there are so many young Australians out there that have high care needs that are living in aged care, or that aren’t get the assistance or quality of care that they need. I’m really hoping to help young Australians with high care needs live with choice and dignity!
With only three months to go Nicole and the rest of the Youngcare trekkers need your support to raise vital funds for young people with high care needs! To follow her journey, visit her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SimpsonDesertChallenge2017/?fref=ts.To donate to Nicole’s trek, visit her Everyday Hero page here https://simpsondesertchallenge2017.everydayhero.com/au/nicole#/?_k=0tz2sb