By BRIDGET SCOTT
A CRANBOURNE East man who walked 1000 kilometres from Sydney to his home was nearly speechless after he finished the 16-day trek which raised more than $30,000 to fight breast cancer.
Despite unforgiving pain in his body, Jake Ward ran the final stretch of his hike as family and friends lined the footpath to welcome him home on Tuesday 14 October.
The 29-year-old set off from Sydney on 29 September to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Jake started to fundraise for the foundation after two close family members died from the disease.
“I started to fundraise because 10 years ago my cousins Samantha passed away, and she was only 31,” he said.
“My aunty on the other side then passed away five years later on.
“I thought I’ll see what I can do.”
Jake initially aimed to raise about $25,000 and has been blown away by the support he received.
After he ran 100km last year in under 19 hours for the same cause he said he “wanted to make it bigger and better this year.”
Mother Chris Ward said she “couldn’t put into words” how proud she was of her son.
“It’s awesome and for such a great cause.”
Ms Ward said she thought “oh my goodness” when he told her what he planned to do, but she had “no doubt he could finish it”.
A Tooradin woman who Jake dedicated five kilometres of his walk to was among those there to cheer Jake on in his final steps.
Rochelle McArthur was diagnosed with breast cancer in May this year and said Jake’s effort was “absolutely inspirational”.
While she had not been able to meet Jake yet, she followed his progress over the internet and kept in touch with him along the way.
Jake stumbled onto his driveway and was thrilled to see the massive support he had waiting for him to finish.
“I feel like the luckiest guy in the world,” he said.
“It’s a long trip.”
Jake said the “Hume Highway sucks” after having spent six long days travelling along it.
“My body gave up, but you guys didn’t,” he said.
“I didn’t think it would make this much of a difference.”
“There were so many supportive people along the way but I only have to look in my front yard.”
Jake said he is excited to find out what his final fundraising total was.
“I can’t thank you all enough for your support,” he said.
“My pain isn’t real compared to what some people have to go through in life.”
