An arduous and icy journey confronted Police Minister Mark Shelton when he last walked from Launceston to Hobart in 2017, and despite those difficulties he is off again on the 200 km trek.
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This year is the second time he is undertaking the walk to raise money for local charity StGiles who support Tasmanian children with disability and has set a fundraising target of $10,000.
Mr Shelton will take his first steps on January 28, leaving from StGiles at Launceston, and arrive five days later in Hobart.
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Mr Shelton's inspiration for the walk is his grandson Evan who has been aided by the services of the charity since he was born.
During his last walk snow actually fell for parts of the trek and he developed severe blisters on his feet, but he hopes preparations this time around mean he is better equipped to push through the 200 km journey.
"Training is going well. I had a look this morning and since Christmas time I've averaged 20,000 steps," he said.
"My longest walk has been around about three hours."
For those wanting to offer a supporting horn of help when passing Mr Shelton he has outlined his plan.
"The first day is from StGiles out to Epping Forest - about 43 kilometres. The next day is from Epping Forest through either Ross or Tunbridge depending how I'm going. Then from Tunbridge to Melton-Mowbray, and then Melton-Mowbray to Brighton, then Brighton to the end," he said.
StGiles chief executive Andrew Billing said the contributions of fundraising events like Mr Shelton's enabled the charity to make specific and life-changing investments.
"At the moment there are a couple of things we are focusing on: we have a theatre company that we are hoping to send to Scotland for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at some stage in the future ... we also are fundraising for tools and technology that will help people to learn, to grow and to live better lives," he said.
"The sorts of fundraising that people like Mark do is really pivotal around those sorts of opportunities and giving people a different opportunity in life."
Donations to the cause can be made here.
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