10 million steps

By MELISSA MEEHAN

Ben’s amazing adventure across America…

MOST 24-year-olds who travel to America try their luck at Las Vegas casinos, or visit as many adventure theme parks as they can.
But Benjamin Lee is no ordinary 24-year-old.
In May, he packed his bag and flew to San Francisco where he would start his tough journey walking across America – all for a good cause.
He’s taken the rest of the year off work from his job at Cold Rock Cranbourne to raise money for Oxfam.
It’s believed his journey will equate to something like 10 million steps, the name of his fundraising page.
After travelling to work with animals across the world, particularly big cats – Ben wanted one last trip before he settled down into professional life.
And what better way to check out the United States, by walking across it, sleeping under bridges or in parks and meeting the weird and wacky along the way.
It’s no mean feat for this 24-year-year-old who relies on the kindness of the people he meets, often sleeping in their backyards or even being lucky enough to receive a free night’s accommodation with a bed.
His now solo mission wasn’t supposed to be so.
His Canadian walking partner called it quits in July.
It was a hurdle Ben had to overcome, and with his support crew, including mum Pauline back home, he has had to come to terms with being alone with his thoughts.
“When his walking partner said she couldn’t do it any more – that was tough,” Pauline said.
“But luckily he heard an American man was doing a similar thing (walking across the US) to raise money for suicide awareness.
“So Ben was able to catch up with him and walk with him for a few weeks.
“It’s so hard when he’s on his own, he’s sleeping in parks, in some tough neighbourhoods and even in national parks with grizzly bears.”
Currently walking about 50 kilometres a day, Ben hopes to make it to New Jersey before Christmas, beating the cold weather and hopefully, snow.
Ben wants to raise $10,000 on his journey, hopefully $5000 from Australia and $5000 from America.
Why Oxfam? Ben wanted to raise money for charity, and after seeing so many impoverished children in places like South America and Africa, wanted to be able to do something for them.
To donate to his cause go to www.oxfam.org.au/my/events/view/431 and don’t forget to like his Facebook page “10 million steps” to see daily updates.