SEVENTY days and more than 2,000 kilometres into his bold walk around Australia to raise awareness of gambling harm, Andy Hope is heading back to Coffs Harbour – not because he’s giving up, but because he’s been advised to begin treatment for a prostate cancer diagnosis he received during his journey.
He’s not down nor out however, as he’s bringing the Walk Against Gambling (WAG) back home.
In true Andy fashion, he’s turning his setback into another opportunity to raise funds and shine a light on the impacts of gambling.
From 9am Saturday 6 December to 9am Sunday, Andy will take on a gruelling 24-hour non-stop walk from the North Wall to the South Wall and back – each loop a five-kilometre lap.
He’s aiming for at least 20 laps and is inviting the entire community to join him for one loop, a few loops, or as many as they can manage.
All funds raised will support Lifeline North Coast and participants can ask friends, family, or workplaces to sponsor their laps. Dogs are very welcome, and in the spirit of the season, Andy invites walkers to wear a touch of tinsel for some festive cheer.
“I’m not expecting anyone to walk the whole 24 hours with me,” Andy said.
“People can do as much as they can.”
NOTA first reported on Andy’s story in July as he set out from Coffs to begin his mission of walking unaided around mainland Australia to raise awareness about gambling harm and support Lifeline.
Since then, while the journey itself has been relatively smooth, he has encountered some personal curve balls.
Andy first paused his walk back in September when his elderly father suffered a serious accident at his home on the North Coast and he travelled back to be with him.
After a few weeks his father was recovering and Andy resumed his walk.
Sadly, his father’s health rapidly declined, and he passed away some weeks later.
Andy returned home for his funeral.
“Before I embarked on this journey, a friend said to me, ‘What if something goes wrong?’ And I said, ‘Not if – when’,” Andy said.
“And these things have come at me thick and fast.
“Dad’s accident, then losing him, and now the cancer.
“But I’m a glass-half-full person. I always try to find the positive.”
After 70 days and 2000 kilometres, Andy said he is feeling “better than ever”.
“I’m frustrated to have to come back, but I’m looking forward to crossing the Nullarbor once treatment is over,” he said.
“I don’t want to lose momentum – I just want to get it done and keep going.”
Before returning home to Coffs for treatment, Andy is squeezing in a high-profile advocacy event in Melbourne, hosted by outspoken anti-gambling advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Tim Costello.
The event will start with a community walk across St Kilda Road Bridge, followed by a public talk at the Collins Street Baptist Church.
“Meeting Tim will be a highlight of this journey,” Andy said.
“He’s been fighting gambling harm for decades, and to have him walk beside me will feel like a huge endorsement and a reminder that what I’m doing matters and I’m not doing it alone.”
If that isn’t enough star power, famous cancer campaigner and actor Samuel Johnson will also join the event.
Andy reached out to the “Love My Sister” campaigner, offering to walk the extra 100 kilometres to where Sam lives to meet him.
“But instead, he called and said he’d come to me,” Andy said.
“We have so many synergies and I’m humbled by his example.”
As part of his cancer campaign to support his sister, Sam unicycled around Australia and raised over $20 million for cancer research.
Like Andy, Sam has experienced addiction and mental health struggles, creating an immediate sense of connection between them.
To support Andy’s Wall-to-Wall Walk and donate to Lifeline, search Andy & Scrubby’s Big WAG.
By Leigh WATSON
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
