Craig Davis completes 288 laps around UNSW to raise money for Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation

A 70-year-old going for a birthday stroll isn’t exactly unprecedented. But not many would have done so in the same style as AFL Hall of Famer Craig Davis, who used his feet to achieve a remarkable feat.

Craig Davis crosses the finish line. Picture: Supplied

A 70-year-old going for a birthday stroll isn’t exactly unprecedented.

But not many would have done so in the same style as AFL Hall of Famer Craig Davis, who used his feet to achieve a remarkable feat.

The former Sydney Swans player marked the milestone by walking 125km in just 24 hours and is chuffed with his choice of celebration, having raising more than $20,000 for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation by completing 288 laps around the University of NSW.

“My attitude has always been (that it’s) better to give,” he said.

“I think it’s a great joy to be able to put a smile on peoples face and give them faith and hope.

Craig Davis completed a 24-hour walkathon, raising more than $20,000.

“Don’t get me wrong, my feet were sore.

“It was unforgiving and become monotonous, but I had tremendous help.

“There was only 10 laps the whole time where I didn’t have company.”

The leading goal-kicker for Carlton in 1974, Davis has always wanted to use his AFL profile to “have a crack” when it came to helping out others.

Craig Davis completed a 24-hour walkathon, raising more than $20,000.

That is exactly what he did when he raised $70,000 in 2019 and in 2023, when he raised $60,000, creating the idea of the 24-hour walkathon.

“A young boy wanted to buy a car for wheelchair access for his parents who had muscular dystrophy,” Davis said.

“So to raise money we did what I called the big climb, which was 38km and 10,000 stairs

“While I was doing this walk, I thought ‘what can I do on my birthday’, and I figured if I can do 10,000 stairs, I can walk 24 hours non-stop.”

The walkathon took place on Craig Davis’ 70th birthday.

The funds raised through the 24-hour walkathon will go towards supporting the Child Life and Music Therapy department at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.

Colin Allen, the chief philanthropy officer at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, praised those who had contributed.

“We’re so grateful to Craig and all our other community fundraisers who take on personal challenges to raise vital funds for sick kids,” he said.

“It shows that each one of us can help change the future for sick kids and, when we come together as a community, we’re truly unstoppable.”