Australia’s Largest Christian News Site

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” are the immortal words of Neil Armstrong when he stepped onto the moon. Perhaps that is what Chris Woods was thinking when she decided to walk across Australia to help men, and particularly fathers.

Chris Woods walked from Darwin to Adelaide, walking for 125 days, and arrived last weekend. Our intrepid Dads4Kids South Australian team, made up of Rod Hall and ably assisted by Samuel Hartwich, was there to meet her.

Together with the kind help of Senator David Fawcett, representing the people of South Australia, the Dads4Kids team presented Chris Woods a Dads4Kids ‘Courage Award’. See the 3-minute video below.

I will quote from Samuel Hartwich’s great article called “A Remarkable Woman’: Chris Woods Treks 3,100 Km for Men’s Mental Health”.

“I don’t know many people who would do what 72-year-old Chris Woods has done.

I also don’t know many who could.

Chris had been planning this trip for some time. But when COVID hit and borders closed, her walk ended up being delayed for four years.

Trekking some 3,100 km from Darwin to Adelaide, Chris began putting one foot in front of the other on 1 May 2024. She completed her course in Glenelg, a beachside suburb of Adelaide, on 24 August 2024. The Lions Club of West Adelaide set up a welcome banner along with a community barbeque.

The 125-day journey, with a few days break to do the washing, is monumental. No matter which way you look at it, the achievement is mind-boggling.

Each day, Chris walked 30 km. A marathon is just over 42 km. That amounts to 74 marathons within a four-month period.

Trekking for a Cause

She labels her adventure “Chris Treks for a Cause”. Her goal is to raise $50,000 to put towards four different charities: The Black Dog Institute, Dads4Kids, Beyond Blue and The Lions Club of Tenterfield.

When asked to explain why she trekked for a cause, she states, “I’ve done this… for the mental health of men.

“I’ve sat around campfires at night, talking to men. There’s not much help out there for them. There is for women. But for men, there isn’t.

“So, we need to step up and get more help for men…”

In addition to taking a few days off to do her washing, her trekking breaks were devoted to working for men’s mental health and “to do free barbeques”.

Obstacles and Perseverance

Chris explained that she began each day with a brisk 17km walk. Then she’d have a break to refuel herself, and then complete the remaining 13 km. “Then it’s all finished!” she remarks, as if it was a mere walk in the park.

But her journey was not all smooth sailing.

Only two and a half hours into her trek, Chris had an accident and ended up in hospital. But it was “just for a few hours,” she reassures.

The accident resulted in “seven stitches in my hand and six on top of my eye.”

“But I was back on the road in two hours.”

“So, I did another 15 kms!”

When asked how she did it, and how she motivated herself to persevere, Chris offered these words:

“It’s just one little step in front of the other. That’s all it is.”

“There were days that I would lay in bed and think, ‘I can’t do this.’

“But you know, if you’re doing it for yourself, stay in bed. But if you’re doing it for Australia, get up, put a smile on your face, and get out there.”

Another obstacle in her goal to fundraise for men’s charities, was the difficulty in engaging media outlets.

“I’m a female standing up for men. If I were a female standing up for females, I would have got more publicity.”

“And you know, men need help.”

“There are so many dads out there that are struggling to see their children. And you know, dads are so important too.”

A Special Thanks to John White

Chris could not have done her trek alone. She owns a converted bus that acts as her accommodation.

But the bus can’t drive itself. So, she asked a friend, John White, to drive her vehicle whilst she was on the road.

 

He agreed – a decision Chris is profoundly grateful for.

“Without John, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. So, thank you so, so much.”

Lovework

Why am I telling you a story about a woman wanting to help men on a Father’s Day weekend? Never thought you would ask. Two reasons. We cannot be the fathers our children need without the help of great women like Chris. Your great women might be your wife, your sister, your girlfriend, your mother, your grandmother or all of the above. Let’s make sure we thank them.

Secondly, whenever you get despondent or feel like giving up, remember the incredible courage of Chris Woods. Each day, she got up and put one foot in front of the other for us. You can do it. I can do it. Together, we can make this world a better place for our children. “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Much Love,
Warwick Marsh

PS: Last Thursday, the family-friendly and faith-based movie, The Forge, was released in cinemas across the country. Last week it was number 5 in the USA and number 4 in New Zealand. Watch the two-minute trailer here. This movie has a strong fatherhood and family theme. Watch my interview with the creators here. Find  a cinema showing the movie here.

___

Republished with thanks to Dads4Kids.