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THE ARTHRITIS WAY WALK

On the 16th May 2009 sixty-nine year old osteoarthritis sufferer, Mike Pauly, set off from his home in East Fremantle on a lone journey walking across the Nullarbor in a bid to raise funds and awareness for Arthritis.

After reading Deanna Sorenson’s account of walking unsupported across the Nullarbor, Mike decided he would walk from his home in Fremantle to Federation Square Melbourne via Coolgardie before his 70th birthday.Mike had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in his knees which was aggravated by being overweight and was having to use a stick to walk up the stairs to his studio at the Old Royal George St Gallery, in East Fremantle. In August 2008 he started the monumental task of losing weight by undertaking a fitness routine, attending aqua aerobics at Fremantle swimming pool and walking.

Mike is pushing all his food, water, clothes and tent in a customised baby buggy. He will be camping out for 80% of the trip and will experience the extremes of the Nullarbor winter.

In order to make his walk worthwhile Mike has decided to raise funds via sponsorship or donations to Arthritis WA and aims to help make people aware that by regular walking or exercise you can:

Mike hopes to encourage individuals and groups to accompany him on along the walk and also plans to give talks along the route.

If you would like to donate money to Arthritis WA to show support to Mike Pauly, contact Arthritis WA or donate online.

If you'd like to receive more detailed updates by email, please contact Malcolm Graham malcolm.graham@yahoo.com.au and ask to be added to the mailing list.

 

14/09/09 - TWO WELLS, SA

Mike is  just outside Two Wells where he will be visiting one of his friends sisters. Then it will be onto Salisbury North and Adelaide.

10/08/09 - CEDUNA

Stats - 23.23km / day (including rest days)     26.73 km / day (excluding rest (walking) days)  162.66 km / week 

3/08/09 - BORDER VILLAGE

Mike arrived in Nundroo yesterday evening and stayed in a cabin. He has been walking with a sprained ankle for most of the past week. The  faulty wheel bearing was kindly fixed this morning by Wayne David. Mike is going to stay on at Nundroo for another night or two to rest his ankle catch up on the footy (Essendon). Ceduna is now only a stones throw away (150km) and Mike is now well past halfway. Mike is still suffering from pain in his knees but is not suffering from the cold half as much as when he was overweight which surprises him - so all that extra fat doesn't seem to keep you warm. He is also getting good nights sleep thanks to the new self inflating mattress.  

19/7/09 - BORDER VILLAGE

Mike is just about to pass into South Australia.

14/7/09 - MUNDRABILLA

ARTICLE: http://www.cotawa.asn.au/resources/COTA%20News%20June%20July%202009.pdf

PHOTOS:http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?psc=G&filter=1&q=mike%20pauly%20the%20arthritis%20way

7/7/09 - COCKLEBIDDY

Mike arrived at Cocklebiddy at about 11:00 am this morning Tuesday 7th July. Mike  is not stopping over but pushing on and may modify his route via Cowell to Adelaide. You can hear Mike on Last Sunday's Macca @ approx 9:30am http://www.abc.net.au/australiaallover/  

27/6/09 - BALLADONIA

Mike arrived at the Balladonia Roadhouse @ 7:20pm this evening Sat 27th June.   He evidently walked an astonishing 50km today. That's 191km in 6 days with only 20km walked last Monday.

Mike is on target to reach Melbourne by mid October.

21/06/09 - NORSEMAN - 720KMS COMPLETED

Mike was on Macca again at approx 8:45am. Macca has offered Mike a satellite phone to be dropped off by a truckie.

Also Alston parodied Mike's walk in a cartoon in the Kalgoorlie Miner on Saturday based on their article published article on Thursday.

If you wish to send Mike a card please review the route plan and mail out to the next local c/o post office approximately one week ahead of where Mike on the current day.