Don Maclurcan

At just 10 years old, Don Maclurcan was presented with an academic award by the terminally-ill Fred Hollows. The moment proved to be a turning point for Don and nine years on it inspired him to run, solo, from Perth to Sydney, to raise money for The Fred Hollows Foundation.

Aided by a support van, housing between two and four crew members at any one time, the team battled summer road temperatures approaching 55 degrees and headwinds of up to 100km/hr for many of the run's 67 days.

Leaving Perth's Cottesloe Beach in January, the team traversed the Nullabor Plain and the states of South Australia and Victoria before arriving, in March, at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach, marking the completion of an epic adventure.

Don had run an average of 60 kilometres a day and the team had raised more than $20,000 for The Foundation! Visit www.seeaustraliarun.com for more info.

Since the run, Don has completed studies in sport's science and journalism and is currently in his final year of a Doctorate which assesses the impact of nanotechnology on health care in developing countries.

Don's association with The Foundation remains strong. He regularly speaks to school and community groups about The Foundation's work around the world. 

Don is proud to identify with The Foundation particularly because of the organisation's approach to sustainability and self-sufficiency.

It is rare to find organisations that truly understand the meaning of 'helping people help themselves'. The Foundation not only understands the meaning of this phrase, it is an underlying tenet of its work around the world and a principle that has engendered the highest level of respect from patients, practitioners, the public and politicians alike,” says Don.

Having had the experience of raising funds for The Foundation, Don also has some tips for other fundraisers!

1. Focus on a core fundraising team of three friends.
2. Choose an event both challenging, yet one you secretly think you can achieve.
3. Consider selecting an event that has the potential to truly shift your focus from self to society and offers an opportunity for supporters to be part of the effort.
4. If the above options are proving too difficult, give any wealthy friend a call and drop around for “coffee” with a box of chocolates!