CAPTAIN AUSTRALIA: SIMON'S EPIC JOURNEY OF HOPE AND HEALING

Simon, also known as Captain Australia, is embarking on an extraordinary journey walking around Australia. Originally from Brisbane, Simon’s childhood was marked by instability due to family struggles, including his mother’s addiction. “I’ve been all over, and I finally settled in Brisbane about 20 years ago,” he shares. His decision to walk Australia came after a life-changing diagnosis of stage 4 head and neck cancer in 2016, which left him with just six months to live. “It broke me. I was drifting through life, but I knew I had to find purpose again.”

To heal, Simon decided to undertake a significant walk, recalling a journey he made as a teenager from Brisbane to Sydney. His first major walk, completed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, spanned 84 days and raised $165,000 for The Kids' Cancer Project. “I dressed up as a superhero, packed my gear, and set out,” he explains. After this initial success, he felt a calling to do even more and set off on a lap around Australia, starting in July of last year. “I walked from Brisbane to Melbourne, then turned west through Adelaide and across the Nullarbor, visiting Indigenous communities along the way.”

Despite the challenges he faced, including injuries and the harsh realities of cancer treatment, Simon’s journey is fueled by a message of hope. “For families facing cancer, I want to say: preserve your hope,” he advises. “A little hope is magic; it colours your days and gives strength to face the unimaginable.” His mission transcends personal healing, as he aims to inspire others through his journey and share stories of kindness and resilience encountered along the way. As Simon continues to walk, he emphasises the importance of community and the power of shared experiences in healing, proving that even in the darkest times, hope can shine bright.