STROKE victim John MacLachlan’s quest to walk around Australia to raise money and awareness for the Australian Stroke Foundation has stalled momentarily.
The foundation called a pause to obtain a sponsor to cover fuel and food costs and a small three-berth campervan.
The break gave the 65 year-old Catholic from Montville, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, a chance to rest after walking 1230 km from Melbourne on March 13.
Mr MacLachlan’s quest featured in The Catholic Leader on January 19.
He said it was hard just living on his pension and donations from people by the road.
‘It is a wonder I got as far as I did,’ he said.
‘On two occasions the St Vincent De Paul Society came to our aid with food and fuel.’
Wife Maryanne said one of the greatest benefits she saw from the walk so far was not the funds raised or general awareness out in the community, ‘even though there seems to be an abysmal understanding of what a stroke is or what the impact can be’, rather it was the hope John had given to so many other victims.
‘So many seem to give up but he is showing them that life may be different but it can still be good,’ she said.
John will return to Canberra, when sponsors are found, to continue his journey.
