Beyondblue have let us know … !
“By raising over $10,645 you have directly helped 222 people seek support from a mental health professional by either phone call, web chat or email through Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service. And for that, we are so grateful.”
Talk about team effort!!!
Distance 38kms
TOTALS: Distance 8780km. Donations $10,645.09.. Days remaining 0. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami Desert and Simpson Desert. Tracks: Birdsville Development Road, Birdsville Track, Oodnadatta Track, Red Centre Way, Great Central Road, Goldfields Highway, Wiluna North Road, Marble Bar Road, Great Northern Highway, Tanami Road, Plenty Highway, Donohue Highway, Diamantina Development Road, Eyre Development Road.
Note to readers: I have travelled with my bike who’s name is Banjo. I have often referred to ‘we’ meaning Banjo and I. ‘We’ had an amazing support team of family, friends, sponsors and folk we met each day. But it was still up to ‘us’ to face the challenge and tackle each day one peddle at a time.
It’s 6.41am on Tuesday the 7 September 2021.
I’m sitting with Banjo enjoying a cuppa out of the wind. It’s early and I have just had my last interview on the ABC radio Breakfast Show with Craig and Loretta. See the recording here
My family and I have started our road trip and are camped at Bedourie.
Sunday we completed The10desertchallenge cycling out to the “Big Red” sand dune from Birdsville. It’s 38kms west of Birdsville and the biggest sand hill in the Simpson desert. A fitting end to a big challenge. More so I was able to share this last leg with Dawn and Dylan who had arrived safely in Birdsville. It was so special to reunite.
Sunday morning was Father’s Day and my 54th Birthday. What a treat to wake up in our Deluxe Cabin all together. We called Mum and Dad to wish grandad a happy day. They had sent me a text for my birthday.
Good morning our Birthday girl 🥳 The beeps beeps are singing “Happy Birthday to youuuuu”🦜🕊 Reaching out and giving you the biggest Birthday hugs and flowers. Can you smell the freesias? Enjoy this magical time together. We want to offer another night for you in Deluxe accommodation. Love to the three of you…
Sharing the morning together was incredibly special for all of us.
To be able to stay another night in the cabin, meant we didn’t have to pack and set up our tents in the campgrounds. We could get ready and get into our last cycle leg out to “Big Red.” Banjo and I loved riding the last chapter to this challenge. Let’s see what the future brings. I’m already playing with the idea of an “Up Over Down Under” cycle down the track; so to speak 😉
10 deserts for $10,645.09 plus the donations made at Laurels Beauty Salon in Sandgate. Linda and the crew at Laurels were amongst the 22 sponsors who have supported our challenge from the get go. Linda offered to keep a donations tin at her salon collecting extra cash donations from her clients. Today, Mum and Dad are collecting the money to add to our tally. I’ll update the post once we do the math!!!!! They promise to give Linda the biggest thank you from me for all their love and support.
UPDATE
There was $130 in the tin. Yay!!!
We headed off on our road trip yesterday from Birdsville, taking the road I came in on. This meant we passed Kylie and the road crew who kindly paid for a deluxe cabin for me and my family. We met up on the roadside to say thank you and introduce her to Dawn and Dylan. How special!!!
The sun rises this morning to a new day. I am blessed to take all the experiences from The10desertchallenge into the next chapters in life. This includes writing a book about the story behind the story. Thank you for your following. I wish everyone health and wellbeing through the love and care of connection.
Loretta asked this morning why I would take on such a challenge and especially during the epidemic. I have experienced firsthand the power of connection and the importance of showing unconditional care for each other. This is especially so when social distancing has become our new normal and connection has never been more important to thrive together in challenging times.
If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you
Fred DeVito
The 10 desert challenge 
Got ya big hug 😃
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Congratulations Maree on completing such an awesome challenge. Thank you for sharing your journey. Amazing inspirational lady.💐
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