Those who fancy themselves a long walk along the beach can now help save lives while doing so. Saturday was the third year for the Kingscliff Coast Charity Walk, formerly the Tweed Coast Charity Walk and is a fundraiser for Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.

This was Kim’s first year volunteering this event after helping out the Ballina to Byron Bay Charity Walk last year, fundraising for the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter. The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service is a helicopter surf lifesaving service that operates in Australia. Founded in 1973 by Surf Life Saving Australia, a not-for-profit organisation, the service has carried out more than 50,000 flights ranging from patient transfers to search and rescue missions. The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service is the largest non-profit search and rescue service in Australia. Its aircraft and trained medical and operational crews respond quickly and effectively to emergencies threatening the life, health and safety of people caused through medical emergency, illness, natural disaster, accidents or mishap.

The walk started at Ambrose Brown Park, Pottsville and walkers headed directly to Pottsville Beach and north Cudgera Beach, to Hastings Point Headland. Heading to the Hastings Point Foreshore participants crossed the Tweed Coast Rd and followed the footbridge across Cudgera Creek. After the bridge a traffic control point was set up to cross Tweed Coast Rd to Peninsula St. Walkers continued north on Maggies Beach to Norries Cove, with a 7km finish point in Lions Park, Norries Headland, Cabarita.

From Norries Headland, walkers headed down to Cabarita Beach and followed the coast along Bogangar Beach and Casuarina Beach, exiting at the 15km finish point at Salt Surf Life Saving Club, where Kim was greeting everyone with fruit, lollies, water and medal if they weren’t doing the full 24km. Walkers then followed the walking track to Faulks Park in Kingscliff, taking in the views around Cudgen Creek along the way. At Faulks Park walkers exited back onto Kingscliff Beach and Dreamtime Beach heading to Fingal Head.

There was an opportunity for a picture at the Fingal Lighthouse and a quick loop around the headland before taking the bush track to the 24km finish line at Family Park in Fingal Head.

Kim had the best position at the Salt Surf Life Saving Club, located at Salt Village, Kingscliff and is one of the newest surf clubs in Australia. A park run starts and finishes at Salt SLC Bells Boulevard, Salt Village every Saturday morning. Last month we were lucky enough drop into Salt Village, Kingscliff, and we were able to experience first-hand all that this stunning seaside community has to offer. In the nook of the Surf Club was Salty Crew Kiosk which hits the spot for magnificent coffee and impeccable service, while enjoying the ocean views and surrounding natural beauty of Town Beach.

After the last walker passed we headed to the finish line at Final Head. Fingal Head is situated just across the Queensland border in the Northern Rivers/Tweed Coast area of Northern NSW and is a mecca for those who like to be close to the Gold Coast, but enjoy the quiet serenity of this beautiful border town.

The walkers passing the finish line looked to have a memorable and enjoyable experience. For fundraising and charity events in particular, it’s important that participants get value for money and understand the great cause they are supporting. The 2020 Triple Chopper Challenge is a seamless event that perfectly represents Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter. Kim and her cow bell will be looking forward to the next event.

Kingscliff Coast Charity Walk Map 2020