Sean Bell: Aussie running legend’s campaign for sick kids reaches Kimberley
A 26-year-old man on a mission to raise money for sick kids by running a record time around the country has journeyed through the Kimberley.
Road trains blow him around and the intense heat of the State’s north has resulted in blood noses.
He feels nauseous daily and his body hurts.
Sean Bell’s plan to run 14,272km around Australia in less than 169 days, 15 hours and 31 minutes has caught the attention of people around the world.
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And he’s doing it all to try and raise $1.4m for young kids battling diseases.
Sean Bell was 20km south of Port Hedland on his 102nd day running when he spoke with the Kimberley Echo — and told of the stunning landscapes he had already encountered through parts of the State while raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
Sean was 20km south of Port Hedland on his 102nd day running when he spoke with the Kimberley Echo. Credit: Ciaron Fitz-Gerald/@ciaron_fitzgerald
“You can look at it and say there is nothing out here, or I could look at it and say I know the A1 Highway more intimately than anyone else in Australia,” he said.
“I’m running each step and I get to see all sorts of wildlife — I’ve seen brumbies, kangaroos, a lot of cows, eagles and snakes.”
Despite having to run straight past wonders such as Cable Beach and Eighty Mile Beach, Sean says he has still been able to appreciate the landscapes.
“The beauty in it for me was probably not far from the WA border and that whole Kimberley region.”
“There’s beauty in the stillness... starting early seeing an awesome sunrise, finishing with a sunset, and then camping under the stars is pretty cool.”
His journey has taken six years to prepare for and Mr Bell plans to break a record held by Dave Alley in the process.
Sean Bell’s plan to run 14,272km around Australia in less than 169 days, 15 hours and 31 minutes has caught the attention of people around the world. Credit: Ciaron Fitz-Gerald/@ciaron_fitzgerald
Sean started his journey in Melbourne and had covered 8597km by the end of day 102.
He averages a distance of just over 84km per day and his entire journey equates to over 300 marathons back to back.
“I can barely walk at the end of the day, If I want to walk two metres to the bathroom it is hard, it is painful and slow,” he said.
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“I’ve got to get up in the morning and put my socks and shoes on and do it all over again, so that is tough, but again, I’m reminding myself of my reasons why, because I hope and happiness to these kids.
“It’s not just a cliche throwaway line to say I’m choosing to hurt for these sick kids, because they will often feel nauseous, you know through their treatments such as chemotherapy.
“This is volunteer suffering, but their(suffering) isn’t and if I can put myself in their shoes for just a little bit we hopefully bring more awareness and money to the cause so their dreams can be fulfilled.”
Sean started his journey in Melbourne and had covered 8597km by the end of day 102. Credit: Ciaron Fitz-Gerald/Ciaron Fitz-Gerald
Over $45,000 has been raised so far and as Sean is due to reach Perth around July 10 — with his team hoping more people can get behind the cause. Credit: Ciaron Fitz-Gerald/@ciaron_fitzgerald
Over $45,000 has been raised so far and Sean is due to reach Perth around July 10.
His team hopes more people can get behind the cause.
“Some people genuinely can’t donate, and that’s okay, but if they can share it around with their friends and family, whether that be social media or just word of mouth... that’d be one thing that we’d love.”
Click here to donate to Sean’s Run For Wishes Journey.