Bill Harrigan ready for Kokoda Trek to support CareFlight

Ian Badham
26th February 2009, 12:00am

After extra training over summer, Rugby League referee Bill Harrigan says he is now ready for his hardest physical and mental test yet … the Kokoda Track, in Papua New Guinea.

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.

Harrigan, two friends and a guide will start their trek on Sunday, which is the back end of the wet season. Making it even harder is the fact that they will be carrying all their own gear (25kg) and will make the crossing in seven days instead of the normal nine.

“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,” Harrigan said.

CareFlight provides a national network of medical services from bases at Western Sydney (Westmead and Bankstown), the NSW Central West (Orange), Darwin and Perth.

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 web site (www.careflight.org).

ENDS: For further information please contact NRMA CareFlight director Ian Badham on 0418 245 748.

‘The next life we save may be yours or someone you love’

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