GoFundMe launched to meet $40,000 charity goal set by Paul Miller ahead of Kokoda Track death

An online fundraiser has been launched to help meet the charity goal of a South Australian veteran who died hiking the Kokoda Track during a charity trip.

An online fundraiser has been launched to help meet the charity goal of a South Australian veteran who died while walking the Kokoda Track.

Adelaide army veteran and father of five Paul Miller, 48, was on the second day of his self-funded charity trip with son Aaron, 17, when he died of a suspected heart attack.

His walking group gave him CPR in an attempt to save his life, but he was later pronounced dead at Port Moresby’s Pacific International Hospital.

Mr Miller, known to his mates as “Dusty”, was raising money for Operation K9, Royal Society for the Blind program that provides service dogs for veterans in Adelaide when he died.

A GoFundMe page has now been launched to help meet Mr Miller’s $40,000 goal.

Adelaide veteran Paul Miller, 48, died after suffering a suspected heart attack while hiking the Kokoda Trail with his son. Picture: Facebook

Organiser Karenna Nelson, a friend of Mr Miller’s daughter Sarah said the veteran was a “magnificent man” who did “incredible work” for the charity.

“With ANZAC day just around the corner, it would be incredible to be able to help out Operation Unity with all that they provide to veterans, in Paul’s name,” Ms Nelson wrote on the fundraising page.

“This is a group Paul was a very active member of and spent his life supporting and running various fundraisers, he was very passionate about supporting veterans.

“Let’s do this for Paul.

Mr Miller’s wife Amanda Kaplan said she believed her husband would want his death to be an opportunity to raise more awareness for fellow returned servicemen and women. Picture: Facebook

“Let’s finish what he started and spread the awareness and fundraising efforts that Paul was aspiring to achieve.”

More than $1100 of the $40,000 goal had been raised within 12 hours of the fundraiser being launched.

Mr Miller’s wife Amanda Kaplan said she believed her husband would want his death to raise awareness for fellow returned servicemen and women.

“Please remember our veterans during Anzac Day, Paul was a proud and extremely well respected member of the veteran community,” Ms Kaplan said.

“We would love this opportunity to spread the awareness and fundraising efforts that Paul was aspiring to achieve.”