It has been an amazing adventure, harder than I imagined, in a region more beautiful than I expected. And whilst our trek to Everest Base Camp is at an end, our work to eradicate polio continues. I have every confidence that, with the continuing support of Rotary members and our partners, we will eradicate polio forever. And when we do, it will be Rotary’s greatest gift to the children of the world.

After 9 days of challenging trekking we made it to Everest Base Camp. A place like no other, the camp is a self-contained tent-city (of around 800 tents) set up for climbers, operating for two months each year. We were lucky to be able to stay overnight - it was freezing! Thank you for your support.

We’re seven days in, legs are getting stronger and we’re acclimatising well in preparation for Everest Base Camp. This is a stunning landscape, looking different in every weather. As we climb, it’s motivating to see the donation tally climbing too. Thank you for your support.

We’re on our way! We’ve walked through some breathtaking terrain, on well-trod rocky paths, under clear blue skies. We’re presently at 2800 metres, not high enough yet for altitude sickness - tomorrow will be the first test. I have walked today with gratitude - thank you very much for your support.

The first part of the challenge is complete! I’ve walked 6 kms every day for 60 days. I’ve arrived in busy, bustling Kathmandu, ready for the final stretch - to Everest Base Camp. This city is full of energy and enterprise - and trekkers too! Good to know we won’t be alone in the mountains! 😀

The surroundings have changed but the walking continues. Day 55 completed - 5 days to go. I’m getting plenty of kilometres in my legs, but there’s not a hill to be seen anywhere in Chicago!

I leave Australia tomorrow filled with gratitude for your support. I'm 49 days walked and 11 still to go, before the final Everest Base Camp trek. I'm heading for Chicago first, for Rotary's triennial parliament and then on to Nepal! To say I'm nervous would be an understatement - but I'm determined that with your support, I will get to my destination - and much more importantly, Rotary will get to zero polio cases forever.

This statue outside Rotary HQ reminds me that it’s all about the children - and that while polio exists anywhere, every child is at risk. I’m in Evanston, part of the organising team for a global seminar for regional leaders. My daily walking has continued, mainly by the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan.

In beautiful Torquay at the District 9780 conference - my own district. We’re celebrating 100 years of service through Rotary - and all the champions who support our polio eradication work. 31 days walked, 29 to go.

Day 29 and almost at the half way mark in the ‘6 kms for 60 days’ challenge. Seeing some beautiful countryside and grateful for all the generous support for polio eradication.

Had a couple of polio parallels this week - lots of steps, a vaccination (albeit for typhoid) and a setback - a bushfire on Mount Buninyong, my usual destination for climbing steps. Some highlights too - particularly reading that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has recently completed a 5-day vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip - administering the polio vaccine to 630,000 children under the age of 10. Thanks Rotarians and supporters - you make this happen.

I spent an inspiring weekend with Rotary Foundation leaders from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands - all of them dedicated to eradicating polio. This very committed little group rose early to walk with me - today's 6 kms around Royal Park, Melbourne. I return to Ballarat full of excitement for the path ahead. 12 days down, 48 to go. #EndPolio #6for60

10 days done, 50 days to go on my '6kms for 60 days' fundraising trek to #EndPolio. As I walk in the beautiful Ballarat mornings, I reflect that the women who go from home-to-home vaccinating children in vulnerable communities often do so in unsafe and difficult conditions. We have so many reasons to eradicate polio. Thank you for your support.

7 days in, 53 to go! This week's walks have taken me to the summit of Mount Buninyong, multiple laps around our picturesque Lake Wendouree and yesterday, around (and around) the beautifully maintained Macquarie Park Cemetary in North Ryde, Sydney - where we farewelled Past District Governor Bruce Allen, the man who helped me see the magic of Rotary's Foundation.

Day 2 - I'm using Rotary's official 'Raise for Rotary' fundraising platform. It accepts many major currencies, your donations are tax deductible according to local regulations and (if you're a Rotarian) will be credited to your individual Rotary Foundation giving levels. That's got to be good! I walked today 's 6kms around our beautiful Lake Wendouree in Ballarat.

Day 1 - Rotary's polio eradication initiative has always inspired me - not just because we need to eradicate polio, but also because it represents the very ethos of Rotary - our willingness to dream big, collaborate, and mobilise talent, time and treasure on the grandest scale. It also represents our Rotary values in action. Today, I'm proud to launch my '6 kms for 60 days' followed by Everest Base Camp trek raising funds for our polio eradication campaign - but I can't do this alone - I need your support. Together, we will #End Polio.

I just wanted to give a shout out and say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to my page!!! The support is really appreciated and I am overwhelmed with the generosity of my friends and family.

I was out doing a practice hike at Drawing Room Rocks yesterday and noticed some of my fellow trekkers have also been training hard and leaving a little bit of motivation for those on the trail!

On Saturday, 25 January a group of the Nepal trackers headed out for a practice walk along the Kiama to Gerringong Coast walk.

It was a beautiful day and it was nice to meet other members of the team and wear in the hiking shoes a bit more.

On the weekend Ken, Laurelle and I were rewarded with the breathtaking views from Drawing Room Rocks at Berry at the summit of our training walk.

My take away from the walk… I need to do more walking!! Hahaha!

I think it’s really important to note that the trek is 100% self funded. All trekkers, including myself, are paying their own travel and costs.

So all money that is raised goes directly to the Rotary Polio Fund.

Thanks again for your kind donation! Every little bit helps!

Wes 😀

Hi everyone,

I’m thrilled to announce that in April 2025, I’ll be joining a group of 12 incredible individuals on a life-changing journey to Everest Base Camp to raise funds for Rotary’s Polio Fund. This trek, which will take around three weeks to complete, is part of Rotary’s mission to eradicate polio worldwide.

Everest Base Camp is a 130-kilometer round trip through some of the most breathtaking and challenging terrain on Earth. Starting in Lukla, Nepal, we’ll trek through remote mountain villages, cross high suspension bridges, and climb to an altitude of over 5,300 meters (17,600 feet). Along the way, we’ll face freezing temperatures, thin air, and the physical demands of hiking at high altitude.

While this will undoubtedly be a tough challenge, it pales in comparison to the struggles faced by children and families affected by polio. With your help, we can make sure that no child has to suffer from this preventable disease.

Your donation will help fund vaccines, medical teams, and the infrastructure needed to reach even the most remote areas of the world. Together, we can finish the job and ensure that polio is eradicated forever.

I’m excited to take on this adventure and even more excited to make a difference with your support. Every contribution, big or small, helps us get one step closer to a polio-free world.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me!

Let’s take these steps together—toward Everest and toward ending polio for good.