Garry Ponder

Cause: White Ribbon
Adventure: Trek for Respect: Larapinta

As our Adventurer of the Month, Garry has scored himself a $100 Paddy Pallin voucher! To be our next month’s winner, make sure you’re uploading your journey to social and use the hashtag #IveBeenInspired.

What inspired you to take on your Inspired Adventure with White Ribbon?

I have been a passionate supporter of White Ribbon’s efforts to stop men’s violence against women for many years. I saw this as a great opportunity to ‘do my bit’ by raising awareness that this is a real blight on our society. I believe the Northern Territory’s ‘Breaking the Silence’ School’s Programme is a fantastic ‘grass roots’ initiative to teach boys to respect girls, so as men, they will respect women.

How are you feeling about the challenge ahead? Have you ever been to Alice Springs before?

This will be our first trip to the Red Centre. I am feeling quite confident in my ability to complete the trek. I have a fairly rigid training regime and with the support the Inspired Adventures team give with the training treks in Sydney, I am feeling okay.

What have been some of the highlights of your fundraising experience so far?

I have been really touched by the level of support from across the broadest spectrum of society. Thanks to my wife’s extensive and effective use of social media, my message has been spread far and wide.

What have been your biggest challenges in taking on an Inspired Adventure? How did you overcome this?

I discovered quite early on that working out in the gym is a very different fitness level than what is needed to complete the trek. So my challenge was to get out into the bush and get some proper training done. Again, the training treks in Sydney have been invaluable.

Have you noticed any changes or transformation in your life since taking on your first adventure?

I don’t think there are any real changes. What I have benefited most is meeting all the other wonderful trekkers who have committed to their adventures. Spending time with like-minded people, listening to their stories and what drives them has been really inspiring.

What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming adventure?

A couple of things come to mind. One of the women who is trekking with us is the victim of an extremely violent assault. She is a survivor. I am looking forward to meeting her to tell her how much I respect and admire her. Also having the opportunity to see this part of our country, led by local Indigenous representatives, on foot, is appealing.

What advice would you offer to other people looking to complete a challenge like this?

Find a cause that is important to you. Match it with an Inspired Adventure event. Set a realistic but challenging fund raising target and GO FOR IT! The further along your journey you get the more inspired you will be.

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Become our Adventurer of the Month to win a $100 Paddy Pallin voucher

Take a picture whilst on your adventure or when you’re training and use the hashtag #IveBeenInspired and your adventure hashtag. The most exciting use of the hashtag, with an adventure, and fitness focus will be our Adventurer of the Month – it’s that easy!

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