24 Sep Dusty walked 540km to help sick country kids
Twelve-year-old Dusty Langby has completed an extraordinary 16-day walk from western NSW to Canberra, raising more than $500,000 to help regional children access specialist medical care.
When Dusty Langby decided to walk from his rural hometown of Warren in western NSW to Canberra ACT, he had one big goal: to help more country kids get the medical care they need.
On 30 August, the 12-year-old set off with his mum Sarah and a support crew.
Sixteen days and 540 kilometres later, Dusty arrived in Canberra after walking through rain, heat, blisters and some very long days.
Along the way, his fundraising for children’s charity Little Wings climbed to more than $500,000.
Why Dusty decided to walk
Little Wings provides free air and ground transport for seriously ill children living in regional and remote areas who need specialist medical care. It also flies paediatricians and other specialists into regional communities.
Dusty knew firsthand how important the service could be. Both he and his younger brother Angus had previously flown from Warren to Sydney with Little Wings for specialist appointments.
His idea for the walk began earlier this year during a conversation with his mum at the family dam.
“The pilots and the volunteers are such kind people … and I wanted to help,” Dusty told the ABC.
One very big result
Dusty also had another goal: to take his message about healthcare for country children all the way to Parliament House.
After reaching Canberra, he met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and asked the federal government to match the money he had raised.
The government agreed to match Dusty’s fundraising dollar for dollar and announced a further $1 million for Little Wings over two years.
Little Wings says the combined funding will help support around 600 missions, including specialist outreach to regional and remote communities.
For Dusty, it was an extraordinary end to an idea that started at home only months earlier.
He walked 540 kilometres, raised more than half a million dollars and helped bring greater attention — and funding — to medical care for children living far from major hospitals.
Not bad for 12.
Main Image: Dusty Langby with Prime Minister Anthony Albenese (courtesy abc.net)
