Monty reaches end of long haul

What started as a challenging way to raise awareness and funds for two charities looks set to become an annual run from Brisbane to Longreach for a student from The University of Queensland.

Monty Summers finished a 1200km run alongside 14 friends on July 26, with only a few aches and pains.

The 20-year-old Human Movements and Psychology student raised more than $50,000 and spoken to school groups and community gatherings in towns along the way.

The feat was to raise awareness and funds for the Leukaemia Foundation and AEIOU: Children with Autism.

Mr Summers said it was good to complete the run, but was not prepared to close the door on further efforts down the track.

“I am a little tired at the moment. I have to head back to uni. But I would like to do it again,” he said.

“The name and our stories are out there. We could base everything on that. We could raise more money next time we do it. We could improve on things.”

Mr Summers was motivated to run the 1200km as part of his rehabilitation from a battle with lymphoblastic leukaemia while still in high school.

He said people in every towns from Brisbane to Longreach were very welcoming and eager to help his fundraising efforts.

“It was great to be out there meeting all those people. The communities along the way were fantastic,” he said. “It was inspiring, the state of awareness, how much people raised and the kindness of everybody.”

The group ran between 50km and 127km between towns each day.

Visit www.citytolongreach.com.au.

Media: Erik de Wit at UQ Communications (07 3346 7086)