Sydney. Wednesday, 16 September 2020. 

Chimu Adventures' Relationship Manager to Queensland, James McAlloon's mammoth fundraising trek, Footsteps For Food, will finish at Uluru on September 19.   

Before McAlloon completes his incredible 3,000km+ journey, Chimu Adventures are running a Win A Trip To Antarctica Raffle as a final incentive to join the Footsteps For Food movement and make a real difference to people in need.

For the past three months, James McAlloon has selflessly battled his way across the rugged terrain and arid landscapes of inland Australia on his epic 3,000km+ solo trek to raise money for South American families devastated by the impacts of COVID-19.

After departing Queensland's Sunshine Coast on July 1, McAlloon has endured shin splints, exhaustion, sore feet, sunburn, and two weeks of quarantine in a remote South Australian hotel. He has overcome blown trolley tyres, worn through four pairs of shoes, and faced up to the disappointment of being unable to complete his original itinerary in Bunbury, West Australia due to current border restrictions. Walking up to 60kms per day, throughout his entire journey, McAlloon has maintained a smile on his face as he's encountered the many wonderful souls of remote Australia and adapted his plans around the challenges he's faced.

 “It's quite surreal to finally be so close to the end of achieving something that was so far beyond my imagination, yet sad that what has been my life for the last 3 months is only a week from being over.” – James McAlloon

Tourism is a vital industry for many parts of South America. Millions of South American families rely on tourism for income, and without tourists, many people are facing an uncertain future.

 So far, with the help of many generous donors, McAlloon has raised more than $30,000 for families in need. In many of these communities, as little as AU$40 is enough to feed a family of four for a week. Chimu Adventures, in partnership with Latin American not-for-profit, Medlife, recently began delivering the hundreds of food packages to families in Peru's Cusco and Sacred Valley regions and with the Santa Marta appeal, delivered packages to COVID stricken families in Brazil.

 “I am gobsmacked that what initially was a crazy idea to help so many, has been achieved.” - James McAlloon.

 Chimu Adventures' WIN A TRIP TO ANTARCTICA RAFFLE offers a great way to make a real difference to people's lives who are doing it tough while securing a chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica. 

So, let's all cheer James on as he completes his final steps on his epic trek from Queensland's Sunshine Coast to the iconic Uluru by purchasing a ticket in the Win A Trip To Antarctica Raffle. Your purchase will make a real difference to people's lives in an incredibly challenging time. 

To support James McAlloon on the final leg of his journey, please head to the Win a Trip to Antarctica page or the Footsteps For Food page for more information.

Chimu's Charity, Mad Project will manage all donations made to the journey. 

For more information on the journey, click here.

Follow James' journey on Facebook.

 For photos, click here.

For media enquiries, please contact:  

Meg Hall

PH: 02 94581211

E: meghall@chimuadventures.com

CHIMU ADVENTURES 

Founded in 2004, Chimu Adventures are The Latin America and Polar Travel Specialists. Australian owned, we are the go-to for all Latin America, Antarctica and Arctic travel requirements, from small ship expedition cruises to tailor-made itineraries and small group tours, plus all international and domestic flight and transfer arrangements. Our specialist knowledge means we can offer the best options for everything. We use our own operations on the ground to access to an immense range of accommodation and activities and work personally with our traveller's style and budget, tailoring to their individual needs.  

Our team is committed to the destinations which we operate in and are proud members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) Adventure Travel Trade Association and Latin America Travel Association. For more information visit www.chimuadventures.com