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Davey to trek for charity

As Melbourne prepares to take on Geelong this Friday, former Demon Aaron Davey is gearing up for an even greater challenge – the Sydney Coastrek.

The speedy flanker covered plenty of ground during his 10-year career at the Dees, but will be in unfamiliar territory this weekend as he treks along the coast of Sydney to help raise money for the Fred Hollows Foundation.

The trek involves groups of four people – which must include at least two women – trekking either 50 or 100 kilometers, along the coastline that stretches between Palm Beach and Coogee.

“This year I’m a part of the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team. I’ll be walking with three Indigenous women from New South Wales, which will be a great experience,” Davey says.

“We’re just going out there and trying to raise as much money as we can.”

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Davey has been an ambassador for the Fred Hollows Foundation since 2006 and is particularly passionate about helping the Indigenous community.

“Recently the Foundation has started running Indigenous programs in the Northern Territory, which is obviously where I’m from.”

The Fred Hollows Foundation seeks to improve eye health, as well as general health, in developing countries and remote communities. Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory are amongst those in greatest need of assistance.

According to the Fred Hollows website, “Indigenous Australian adults today are 6 times more likely to be blind than non-Indigenous Australian adults and 12 times more likely to be blind from cataracts.”

“I’ve been pretty fortunate in my life to do what I have been able to do,” Davey reflects.

“Now it’s all about giving back to the community and the Indigenous people, and giving someone a chance in life.”

Originally, Davey was unsure how much money he’d be able to raise. His fundraising page has a listed goal of just 500 dollars, but so far he’s raised more than six times that amount.

“All up my team’s raised about five and a half grand, and I’ve been lucky enough to raise three,” Davey says.

But to anyone out there who’s thinking of donating, he has a clear message.

“Please don’t stop donating because I’ve reached three grand! The more I can raise the better.

“It’s all for a good cause, giving back to the community.”

To find out more about Aaron’s trek or to make a donation, click here.

Learn more about the Fred Hollows Foundation here and Coastrek here.