Two Port Stephens women are currently on the trek of a lifetime.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jodi Cooper, from Soldiers Point, and Carol Compton, from Corlette, are part way through walking the famous Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory to raise funds for Camp Quality.
The women left for the 223km, 16-day trek on June 17.
Before leaving, Mrs Cooper told Fairfax Media that she had never done anything like what she was about to undertake before, that she was nervous but also excited.
“I keep reminding myself that I’m doing it to help people,” she said.
“It’s good to get outside your comfort zone, to challenge yourself.”
In 2014 Mrs Compton battled the Borneo jungle to raise money for Camp Quality, and has also walked the Kokoda Trail.
She has done a number of treks to raise money for the charity, but this was the first time tackling the Larapinta Trail.
“This is twice as long than what I’ve done before,” Mrs Compton said.
“The terrain is uneven, there is no path to walk along. But I’m looking forward to it.”
Mrs Compton has volunteered in Camp Quality’s Newcastle office for 10 years.
She said she is inspired by the work staff do to help people, and why she undertook the fund-raising treks.
For Mrs Cooper, it was her daughter Grace who inspired her to take part in the Camp Quality trek.
Grace is a new volunteer to the organisation’s camps.
A group of 14 people, 13 women and one man, from the Hunter are walking the trail together.
Mrs Cooper and Mrs Compton are the only two from Port Stephens.
The women trained together in the months leading up to the big walk.
As well as time in the gym, they went on long walks around the Bay.
Mrs Cooper said training also brought her family closer together.
“I’ve become a lot fitter through training in the past six months,” she said.
“The nicest thing is that Pat [husband] and Grace have been coming on walks with me. It’s been nice family time.”
Mrs Cooper said her husband had been very supportive from the beginning, as had friends and work colleagues.
That support can be seen in donations.
On Monday, Mrs Cooper had raised more than $10,200 – well past the $4000 she was required to raise.
Mrs Compton had raised more than $4400.
Donations are still being accepted.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
