Bill Harrigan takes on Kokoda to support CareFlight
The Oztag Junior State Cup being staged at Shellharbour on Saturday 22 February will also be a venue to raise funds to support a major challenge being undertaken by Oztag co-ordinator Bill Harrigan.
With a history of taking on tough challenges as one of the most respected referees in Rugby League history, Harrigan has now set his sights on an even tougher physical test.
In setting his sights on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, Harrigan has decided to take on some of the toughest terrain on the globe.
Harrigan is focused on testing his fitness and mental toughness when he takes on the historic track at the end of February. What makes this even tougher is timing, with the trek to take place at the back end of the wet season.
In honouring the significance of the Kokoda Track in Australian military history, Harrigan is taking on the challenge to raise funds for respected Australian aeromedical charity CareFlight.
The Oztag State Cup is being staged at Myimbarr Sporting Fields from 9.30am, and to create interest and boost Harrigan’s fundraising, CareFlight will have its mobile winch simulator at the fields – a full-size former Huey helicopter.
“I’ve been refereeing at various times in PNG since 1990, and I’ve always said I’d like to walk Kokoda,” Harrigan said. “Now my boss, NRL head referee coach Robert Finch has given me time off to do this.
“I know it will be a life-changing experience for me, but raising money to support CareFlight’s doctors and rescue helicopters will give someone else a chance at life.”
To help him focus on the rigour ahead, Harrigan will team with expert trek leader Ricky Dumigan, director with
the B.FIRM Fitness Studio which is based at White City in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The founder of B.FIRM studios, Lee Campbell, believes Harrigan is up to the challenge of taking on some of the hardest terrain on the globe.
“There is no doubt that Bill is a tough customer and we think that while he will find the conditions difficult he has the mental and physical toughness to complete the trek,” Campbell said.
In addition to Harrigan’s significant achievements on the football field, he was also part of the NSW Police Tactical Response Team. Campbell acknowledges this will give Harrigan an edge over the usual clientele who walk the track.
“Obviously Bill has a lot of experience in physically and mentally demanding situations. That’s why we have a 12 week training program –which we get everyone who wants to walk the track with B.FIRM to complete. It just makes sure all our people are ready for the trek and can enjoy the experience and soak in the history,” Campbell said.
CareFlight’s trauma doctors provide state-wide medical retrieval services on board the helicopter and air ambulance aircraft provided by NSW Ambulance Service at bases in Sydney and Orange, in addition to the charity’s own air ambulance jets operating from Sydney, Darwin and Perth and its trauma helicopter service based at Westmead. Over the past 23 years the charity’s rescue and medical teams have treated or transported more than 18,000 critically ill and injured patients of all ages.
For information about how to support Bill Harrigan’s nominated charity on his Kokoda trek, see the CareFlight website (www.careflight.org).
ENDS: For further media information please contact either Bill Harrigan direct (0408 899 333), or NRMA CareFlight Community Relations Officer John Ebbott (0458 727 905).
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