Volunteering At Ballina to Byron Bay Charity Walk

Ballina to Byron Bay Charity Walk

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”

The NSW coast is an unbelievable location with prestige beaches, breathtaking lookouts, fresh seafood and a mix between the beach lifestyle and relaxed country living. We headed out early Sunday morning for the 2 hour drive south to Broken Heads NSW.

Only ten minutes south of Byron Bay, Broken Heads has preserved its unspoilt image to the point that you would swear you were a million miles from development. At the end of a bush road through the littoral rainforest, Broken Heads is the next headland south from the fabled Cape Byron, about 15km away. There's a beach resort and a caravan and camping park right near the beach, and a walking track over the headland to a string of isolated beaches. Even how persevered and unspoilt it is, you don’t what to spend any time here what so ever. Seven Mile Beach Rd is a dead end with massive unregulated tourist car impact. Emergency vehicles have been unable to access Seven Mile Beach. The roadside environment is degraded with pot holes everywhere.  Accidents and near misses are a regular occurrence and the local unemployed environmental hippies in the local caravan park are quick to rip into you if they see a dog in the car park.  We only were here because Kim volunteered in the Ballina To Byron Bay Charity Walk.  She helped out first at the 3nd finish line, drink and food station at Broken Heads and then she moved onto the finish line at Byron Bay.

The Ballina to Byron Bay Coastal Charity Walk started at Missingham Park in Ballina, following the coastline north to Lennox Head, Broken Head, Tallows Beach to Cape Byron Lighthouse finishing at Denning Park in Byron Bay, next to the Surf Life Saving Club. The spectacular scenery creates an awe inspiring backdrop for the Charity Walk. Participants can walk or run at any pace however it is a non-competitive social event. The Charity Walks are a major fundraiser for Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter. The walks are an all-terrain challenge across sand, bush track and roads and should not be underestimated by any walker.

Studies have found that when you stop thinking about your own problems and focus on someone other than yourself, your stress levels start to decrease and your immune system is strengthened and your overall sense of life satisfaction increases. This is because helping someone else interrupts tension-producing patterns and replaces it with a sense of purpose, positive emotions and high confidence levels. That’s why Kim loves volunteering, and being around inspiration people participating in these event.

This was the first time for this event and she loved everyone and will try to pencil it in for next year.

“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another.”