Written by Max Reilly (Project Manager, Run for Wishes)
April 18, 2022

[Image ID – Sean warming up before his run at sunrise on Wargamaygan land. The trees and Sean are silhouetted at the bottom of the image with the sky turning a beautiful orange.]

Photos were taken on Yidinjdji, Djirbalngan, and Wargamaygan land.

The Run for Wishes is officially underway!

We are currently eight days into Sean’s 60-day running journey in Bindal and Yuru land from Gimuy/Cairns to Naarm/Melbourne.

The donation count currently sits at $9,074.80.

Donate here!

Finding Rhythm

The consecutive 16-hour days have stretched the team. Each day has offered unique learning experiences as we understand priorities and what jobs need to be allocated when we are trailing Sean and at camp.

The fragrance of five grown men sharing a six-berth motorhome will stay with me long after this project is done. It was a two-day standoff to see who would christen the motorhome’s bathroom facilities. Once proceedings kicked off, the floodgates opened. The short-term volunteers are excited to come home to their partners.

[Image ID – The motorhome during sunrise on Wargamaygan land. Pictured is the motorhome with the Make-A-Wish Australia donation signage. Reflected on the windows is the sky showing a mixture of yellow/orange and blue/purple.]

Tropical North Queensland

It is hard to believe we are in the same country. The dense, tropical rainforests here are opposite to what we have in Naarm/Melbourne. On our day trip before the run and inching along the Bruce Highway, we have been surrounded by untouched mountains and rainforests. You could spend a lifetime exploring this country and see only a small fraction of it.

[Image ID – a section of the Crystal Cascades on Yidinjdji land. Featured through the trees is one of the many swimming spots along the walk.]

Free flow

The humidity and searing heat make a tough environment for running. It is fascinating to see how this has not deterred Sean. He always returns to the motorhome with a wide grin and is ready to laugh. You can see he is following his purpose and doing what makes him happy.

It is satisfying watching people lock into their free flow state. Both Yianni Griffiths and Guido Lopez have been focusing on their craft in the motorhome.

Yianni runs his own physiotherapy business – Eastern Health and Performance – with a key emphasis on strength and conditioning. Sean brought Yianni to help with the first week as he adapts to the load and formulates strong recovery habits. Yianni loves the problem solving of his role. He has a willingness to learn more about the human body and apply it to the issues his clients are facing.

[Image ID – Yianni giving Sean warm-up instructions on Wargamaygan land. Outside the motorhome is Sean completing a hip exercise with Yianni giving instructions from his bed inside the motorhome.]
Guido is constructing the Run for Wishes documentary. He made the bold leap to leave a career in engineering to pursue photography and filmmaking. Once Guido gets behind the camera, it is clear he made the right decision. He always looks in control as he captures all the in-between moments in this constantly changing environment.

[Image ID – Guido capturing content with his camera during our day trip to the Crystal Cascades on Yidinjdji land. Guido is concentrating on holding the camera. Behind him is the beautiful backdrop in the national park.]

One thing leads to another

A First42k client of Sean’s set up a Channel 7 interview to spread the run’s awareness on day one. This has led to an overwhelming embrace by the Queensland locals. Every 15 minutes someone will drive past giving a honk of support or a fist in the air. Others will stop ahead and give whatever cash they have and water. It stuns me how a fete like this will draw together countless strangers.

[Image ID – Sean being interviewed on Channel 7 on the side of the road on Yidinjdji land. On the left is the Channel 7 cameraman filming Sean on the right. In the background is our motorhome.]

[Image ID – Zac, Sean, and Cameron on the Bruce Highway on Djirbalngan land. Zac and Sean are running on the left. Cameron is riding his bike on the right.]

Cameron embodies the Run for Wishes. His nomadic lifestyle and tragic understanding of life’s impermanence connect him to the cause. The way Cameron views the world and cares for others is infectious. It encourages you to self-reflect and think about how you can be a better person for others.