How a group of mates turned an outback adventure into $250k for charity

It's no easy feat travelling the backroads of Australia, let alone on 70-year-old Fergie tractors, but it sure is worth every second when you raise more than a quarter of a million dollars for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. This is exactly what nine local blokes have achieved all on the back of their Fergie tractors travelling over 1300km of dirt roads between Bourke and Birdsville at just a little over 20km/h. Local mechanic Richard Jefferay and his son Mitch, Dave and Al O'Grady, Lindsay Wall, Brenton Trainor, Rodney Barnes, Troy Parker and Daniel McIntyre, and those behind the scenes of the incredible fundraising journey, have generated $254,236 (as of 13 October) smashing their original target of $100,000 and their new target of $150,000 - which quickly turned into $200,00 and then $250,000. The group travelled through Louth, Wannaaring, Tibooburra and Innamincka, trekking into three different states over 12 days in August. It wasn't just a straight-forward 12 days through the dust though, there were many busted tractor parts along the way. The Fergies were feeling the tough dirt road conditions with a morning of mayhem breaking out on the last day of the trek. All within an hour Mitch's tractor busted a tyre, rim, bonnet, torsion rod and steering arm, and five minutes later Dave had a flat tyre. But among all the flat tyres and busted parts, the group shared enough laughs and memorable moments to last a lifetime. One of those - described as the reason why this bunch of blokes were on this trek in the first place and their cause so important - was when they ran into John Montgomery. They didn't just "run" into John though, John took a detour on his way home from Cape York when he saw what the boys were up to and where they were - in the middle of nowhere on the Cordillo Road between Innamincka and Birdsville. John is a 10-year prostate cancer survivour who shared his story with the crew and made an incredible $500 roadside donation to support the worthy cause. Support for the boy's trek came from all directions. A mate of the trekkers' drove all the way from Newcastle and tracked the crew down between Cameron Corner and Innamincka, guided by local talks and buzz around the fundraiser. There was also many unexpected moments on the trek which caught the crew by surprise. On day five they stumbled upon what they thought was a mirage at first but was actually The Nest-Golden Egg Cafe sitting on a claypan between Tibooburra and Cameron Corner - in the middle of nowhere. The cafe run by Rachel and Bodie Hill from Waka Station serves barista-grade coffee in one of the most remote spots in NSW and of course the Tractor Trekkers had to check it out and stop for a cuppa. No outback adventure is complete without a climb up Big Red, Australia's most iconic sand dune with most of the Fergies powering up like champions, with others needing a little extra horsepower. Once they arrived in Birdsville after 12 days on the Fergies they had the privilege of meeting Glenn McGrath - cricket legend, co-founder of the McGrath Foundation and co-owner of Outback by Air. Glenn took time to chat with the team about the trek, the outback and the cause. His generosity and genuine interest meant the world to the crew. The tractors may be parked for now, but the journey is far from over. When a group of local blokes can turn a dusty outback adventure into a quarter of a million dollars for prostate cancer, you know this is more than a fundraiser. The trek sparked conversations in the most remote corners of Australia and brought communities together in support for a cause that matters. You can catch up with the Parkes Tractor Trekkers at the Central West Car Club's annual Show 'n' Shine at Pioneer Oval in Parkes, taking place this Saturday from 9am. You will have the chance to see the tractors exactly how they finished - still covered in red dust, dents and stories. Meet the drivers and hear their tales from the outback. Because this trek wasn't just about getting old Fergies across the outback, it was about starting conversations, raising awareness and making a difference - and what a bang-up job Richard and his crew did at that too.

How a group of mates turned an outback adventure into $250k for charity

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