Great Walk Diary

They hit the final stretch emotionally charged and determined.

A new band of spiritual warriors took to the track today, the last formation of the group as it heads to Beijing for the finale.

Last Day of Stage 5: Sharing stories of survial with Sunrise

Yesterday was a day off for the walkers but not for Olivia and our kitten Austin Ludwig, who became something of a TV star appearing with Olivia on Fox TV in the US.

Final part of stage 4- sad goodbyes, a spoilt kitten and big questions asked about cancer

Robyn Walker lost her father to cancer two years ago, her mother died during her father’s treatment. This is why Robyn wants to contribute to our mission to change the world.

Olivia placed a written message in the wall for Nancy and Jim Chuda, friends of hers who lost a daughter to cancer at the age of 4.

The hospitality and the attention being paid to the Great Walk to Beijing in Shanxi province are extraordinary.

There were some new stories on the wall today: Liz Morrissey was a close friend of Belinda Emmett who sadly fell victim to breast cancer, Kirk Pengilly’s dad passed away in 2002, Layne Beachley lost her stepmother to cancer in 2004.

A new energy has infected the group as there is a determination to achieve the 5 million dollar target to see the Olivia Newton-John cancer and wellness centre become a reality.

Today is a rest day and walkers realise how far away from home they really are, in a a very different culture and country.

Olivia shares the sad news from John Easterling that his sister in law Vivian passed away just 45 minutes after he made it home to Florida.

Everyone here is undergoing a personal journey whether they like it or not.

Dannii Minogue brings a new, inspiring energy to the group.

A tearful Olivia and John receive news from the US that his sister-in-law does not have long to live.

Just when they thought they had it all worked out comes - the Gobi Desert!

The Walkers Reflect on Stage One

Buoyed by the team meeting last night the team took to its morning assignment with fresh enthusiasm. They were heading towards the sea this time on another gruelling stretch of this incredibly daunting wall.

The walkers awoke with groans and aches and pains, so much so that the medical team called for a review of the days’ plans.

The Great Wall of China is a truly magnificent structure, that’s why it boosts the Chinese national economy by attracting millions of foreign tourist dollars every year. When Olivia Newton-John and her team returned to the wall early this morning the novelty of visiting the Great Wall of China had well and truly worn off.

A colourful greeting party of locals welcomed Olivia’s team to the base of Great Wall and a chorus of singing, dancing and drumming set the walkers on their way.