Maroons State of Origin hero, Billy ‘The Kid’ Slater has vowed to try and walk from ‘Coolangatta to Cairns’ in May to help raise money for sick kids for the Royal Children's Hospital's 'fit4fun Challenge'. If successful, the Melbourne Storm’s star fullback will virtually walk almost the entire east coast of Queensland in less than 31 days. Slater has urged Queenslanders to follow his lead, or help sick kids by sponsoring him to achieve his goal.

Slater will need all his speed and stamina if he’s to make the 1,993 kilometre distance toward his hometown in May – a journey of more than 60 kilometres a day.

Slater has embraced the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation’s ‘fit4fun Challenge’ – a virtual walk from Coolangatta to Cairns to raise money for the non-profit organisation attached to the RCH. The majority of funds generated through the fundraiser will go toward the Children’s Nutrition Research Centre (CNRC), one of only two centres of its kind in Australia. Located at Brisbane’s RCH, the CNRC plays a key role in finding treatments for children with growth and nutritional problems.

Funds raised by the 'fit4fun Challenge' will not only benefit children in Queensland, but children throughout Australia and overseas. Research undertaken by the CNRC informs child nutrition practice at national and international levels.

Once registered, participants in the‘fit4fun Challenge’ receive a pedometer which records their steps. At the end of each week, people log onto the fit4fun website, enter their number of steps,
and track their progress up the Coast. As participants head North, they will receive travel specials
at various destinations, health and fitness tips, and the chance to win great prizes.

Designed for workmates to get together, increase their fitness and raise money for sick kids, the ‘fit4fun Challenge’ is ideal for teams of around 10, but individuals can participate. Just 10 team members averaging 7kms per day over the 31 days of May can achieve a distance of 2,170kms. Given the punishing training and fitness regime of NRL players, its expected Slater will generate the workload of at least three average participants in the ‘fit4fun challenge’, but he hopes to do better.

“Realistically, I’ll be lucky to reach Rocky on my own”, Slater said laughing. “But I’m going to give it a real good shake. It’s a fantastic cause and I urge people to get their workmates on board and have a go. You can win some great prizes but every step you take will help a sick child”, he said.

Slater maintains it’s easy for individuals to get involved in the ‘fit4fun Challenge’ but if people decide they don’t have the time, they can still do something to help. “You can register online or over the phone it’s really simple, but if you can’t participate you could sponsor a friend or sponsor me”, he said. “I can’t guarantee I’ll make it all the way, but at least your money is going to a great cause”.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the number of overweight Australians is around 5.6 million and the number of obese adults is estimated to be as high as 3.3 million. In the past decade, the prevalence of obesity rose by more than 70% in men and 80% for women. Walking is one of the simplest and most effective forms of exercise, which can aid weight loss.

For further information, contact Wendy Kirkman on 0415 384 639 or Julie Garvey on 0410 886 100.

To register for the ‘fit4fun Challenge’, go to the link on fit4fun.com.au or telephone (07) 3852-1199