Arabic version: داستي لانغبي يُتمّ مسيرة إلى كانبيرا دعماً لـ«ليتل وينغز»
According to ABC News, 12-year-old Dusty Langby has arrived in Canberra after completing a 500-kilometre walk from Warren in western New South Wales. The 16-day journey raised $423,000 for Little Wings, a charity that provides free flights for seriously ill children and children needing specialist care in rural and regional NSW, the ACT and Queensland.
Dusty began the trek on August 30 with his mother Sarah, local nurse Christine Letton, Little Wings nurse Nichole Callan and Little Wings chief executive Clare Pearson. He and his brother have previously used Little Wings flights to travel from Warren to Sydney for specialist medical appointments. Dusty said he wanted more children to be able to access the service, describing the charity’s pilots and volunteers as “such kind people”.
The group faced rain, baking sunshine and changing energy levels, walking daily distances ranging from 19 to 55 kilometres. Dusty, who said he normally runs rather than walks, trained from January and went through four pairs of shoes. He said the group initially chatted while walking before later turning to music. Supporters and communities along the route provided encouragement and food, Sarah Langby said.
Dusty is due to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House to discuss rural paediatric care. He said he planned to ask the prime minister to match every dollar raised for Little Wings. After arriving in Canberra, the family planned a camping trip to decompress, spend time together and reflect on the achievement.
