Stroke survivor set to take on Overland Track and raise funds

The use of his right hand and right leg is limited.

He has survived a stroke brought on by an undiagnosed heart defect.

Today he starts a six-day bushwalk on the famed Overland Track.

Mr O'Malley said the stroke he suffered in his 30s three and a half years ago could have left him at home on a disability pension.

Instead, he made it a goal to get back to work and back to a hobby he loved - bushwalking.

"When I was in hospital, I said `I want to be bushwalking again in 12 months'.

"It was just a goal, but an important goal."

The Sydney resident was true to his word, and 12 months to the day after he left hospital he stepped out on his first bushwalking expedition.

Mr O'Malley continued his hobby and has gone on to do a number of other walks since that time.

He chose the Overland after doing the South Coast track a number of years ago and feeling that he wanted to return to Tasmania.

Mr O'Malley and six friends have committed to doing the Overland Track and raising money for the Stroke Foundation.

He said that while strokes did not get a lot of attention, they were the second-highest killer of Australian men behind heart disease.

Anyone who wishes to donate to the Stroke Foundation can do so at www.givenow.com.au/ nationalstrokefoundation, and mention Mr O'Malley's name.