Byron to Ballina Coastal Charity Walk hits 10 year milestone

The annual Byron Coastal Charity Walk brought entrants from across NSW and QLD to raise funds in support of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

The annual Byron to Ballina Coastal Charity Walk brought in over 880 entrants this year to raise funds for the Northern Rivers base of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Entrants came from as far south as Sydney, north of Brisbane, and west to Dubbo to tackle a choice of three distances along the northern NSW coastline.

Starting from Dening Park in Byron Bay, individuals and teams of up to 20 walkers choose from:

12km – Byron Bay to Broken Head Reserve.

24km – Byron Bay to Lennox Head Surf Life Saving Club.

36km – Byron Bay to Ballina Surf Life Saving Club.

The Byron Coastal Charity Walk celebrated its 10th year running on Saturday with over 850 entrants from across NSW and QLD. Left: WRHS Acting CEO James Lawrence, volunteers Jim Savins, Maryanne Sewell, Steve Dawson, Cathy Dalton, WRHS Community Fundraising Coordinator Melinda Mak, and volunteer Mark Humphries, at the Lennox Head finish line. Picture: Cath Piltz

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) acting Chief Executive Officer James Lawrence said the walk was in its 10th year running after a gap due to flooding and Covid.

“The event started at Byron Bay at 6.30am – the 12km to Broken Head, 24km to Lennox Head and 36km all the way to Ballina for the real enthusiasts,” Mr Lawrence told the Northern Star.

“A big group of people have come from Brisbane and the Gold Coast as groups of friends to enjoy the weekend and take in a walk that can challenge you if you take on the full distance.”

Summerland Credit Union team from left: Graeme Herne, Sarah Parry, and Joel Avey at the Lennox Head point of the Byron to Ballina Charity Walk on Saturday. Picture: Cath Piltz

Addye Woods and Clementine Croker at the finish line in Ballina after trekking 36km from Byron Bay to Ballina on Saturday as part of the annual Byron to Ballina Charity Walk, raising funds for the Northern Rivers base of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter. Picture: Cath Piltz

WRHS Community Fundraising Coordinator Melinda Mak told the Northern Star people often compete the walk numerous times.

“Some have done the walk every year since the beginning which is fantastic,” Ms Mak said.

“The majority do the 36km, over three quarters of entrants which is testament to the walk.”

Ms Mak said the walk is non-competitive and the social atmosphere brings many people together.

Left: Talitha Coggan, from Dubbo, and Jaelee Willoughby, from Newcastle at the Lennox Head point of the 2023 Byron to Ballina Coastal Walk, readying for the last leg to Ballina on Saturday. Picture: Cath Piltz

Jaelee Willoughby, from Newcastle joined up with her friend Talitha Coggan, from Dubbo for the 36km event.

“Every year I do a new challenge,” Ms Willoughby said.

The two women stopped at the Lennox Head check point to attend to blisters and refuel before slogging out the last leg to Ballina.

Sydneysiders, Gibson and Hugh Darling took a weekend away to jump on the chance to trek with the more than 850 other entrants in the annual Byron to Ballina Charity Coastal Walk on Saturday. Picture: Cath Piltz

Gibson and Hugh Darling, from Sydney, trekked from Byron to Lennox Head for a few reasons.

“It was a combination of having a target to get fit and coming away for the weekend so it seemed to go well together,” Ms Darling said.

“It was hard towards the end, but overall it was actually quite wonderful.

“We’re looking to try and make this something we do regularly,” Ms Darling said.

Mr Darling said he managed the walk well.

“This is probably the fist time we’ve actively looked for a walk but also on the basis it’s a charity fundraising walk as well – that’s another reason why we’ve done it today.

“Initially going up to the lighthouse was a bit challenging, and also from the lighthouse to the 18km mark through the dirt roads there, they were a little uneven but certainly once we got to the crest of the hill and came back down it was easier,” he said.

Brisbane team, the "Gin-Vincibles" from left are Katie Stone, Corinna Paton, Jess Paton, and Jenny Ruffell Smith after trekking the entire 36km from Byron Bay to Ballina on Saturday as part of the annual Byron to Ballina Coastal Charity Walk. Picture: Cath Piltz

Jess Paton, from Brisbane team the “Gin-Vincibles” said the girls were keen to find another event to maintain the fitness they achieved at Coasttrek, another charity fitness event.

“We found this walk and decided it was a good chance to keep training and keep on talking about fitness,” Ms Paton said.

“The walk was absolutely beautiful – the beach to begin with then going up through the rainforest is absolutely stunning, and then to finish here which is such a gorgeous beach as well.

“The whole walk was so much fun,” she said.

“We’re all feeling it in different parts (laughs), our bodies are speaking to us in different ways but I think mostly we’re all feeling good – looking forward to some recovery this evening.”

Summerland Credit Union team: Melissa Cooper, Kerry Harrison, Graeme Herne, Sarah Parry, and Joel Avey at the Lennox Head point of the Byron to Ballina Charity Walk on Saturday. Picture: Cath Piltz

Graeme Herne, of Wollongbar entered a ten person team from Summerland Credit Union.

“I did the 24km from Byron to Lennox Head,” Mr Herne said, “But we had others do various distances.”

He said Summerland Credit Union enter the walk as a way of giving back to the community.

“We’ve raised over $2,000 for the rescue helicopter which is a really great cause,” he said.

Participants in the 2023 Byron to Ballina Coastal Charity Walk have fundraised on top of their entry fee over $100,000 for the Northern Rivers Westpac Rescue Helicopter.