David Blows

2026 March On Challenge

Day 12 - Rest those feet

Starting night shift tonight and my feet were hurting a little, so decided to rest up. Need sleep anyway for night shift so took the opportunity to take it easy.

Day 11 - Walk Home from Work

Decided to take a different route home tonight. Really wanting to get to the half way mark. 

Day 11 - Walk to Work

Feet are starting to feel it, 

Day 10 - Walk Home from Work

After work walk. Started to get old body moving and jogged a little. OMG

Day 10 - Walk to Work

Started a little later today because working extra the night before. Because it was late leaving work I did not walk home, and grabbed an Uber. To make up for it and having the ability to start a little later I decided to walk a little extra this morning along the river. I was surprised, took my time yesterday getting into work 7.4 km in 86 min) and walked an extra 2 km today (9.1 km in 90 min). Certain hoofed it this morning.

Day 9 - Back to Work

Very nice walk into work this morning. Amazing getting up before the sun rises. Not plugged in, no phone, no head phones/buds, just my own thoughts and listening the world starting to rise. Took a small deviation today which added about a 1 Km to my walk.

Day 8 - Absolutely Nothing

Very quiet day today. Had to go to work on a day off to get ahead of some work. Quick walk to coffee shop but nothing substantial

Day 7 - Easy Day

Little walk to my local cafe to grab coffee

Day 6 - Beach Walk

Nice morning ealk from Trigg Besch to Sorrento and back

Day 5 - Birthday

Nice early morning walk to disconnect

Day 4 - Walk near home

Quiet walk near where I live

Day 3 - Walk Home from Work

Walk home from work - little bit of a different way.

Introduction

My name is David - Ex RAAF. Charities that support our ADF members are important to me. Not just because I have two sons that are currently serving in the ADF, but in one way or another many people have had some one in their family who served.

My Grandfather 7th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment was part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) during the Dunkirk evacuation of WW II.

He however did not get evacuated and spent 5 years as a POW in Torun (Poland) Stalag XXA. Reading about the conditions of the March to Poland (Approx. 1300 KM) and then the forced march of POWs at the end of the war, it is hard to imagine the conditions that he had to endure. What is also hard to learn is the treatment he received when repatriated back to England. 

There are troubles that are a burden to carry and unfortunately for some they become too much. I sincerely hope that our Veterans know how much they are loved and that whatever struggles they face, that there is support available and for them and to reach out. 

Day 2 - Walk to work

My walk to work for night shift.

Day 2 - March weather

Decided to take my car home from work. Means walking to work in such beautiful weather

Day 1 - Walk to Work

Have to walk. Left car at work.

Day 1 - Walk home From Work

Details for walking home from work

Day 1 - Midnight Walk

Small walk at work to warm up.

Day 1 - Morning View

Great start, nice early morning picture. Have to love the weather at the moment in Western Australia. Sad day for the world, more bombings.

Support my challenge to prevent veteran suicide and save lives

Right now in Australia, at 42%, suicide is the leading cause of death for ex-serving males aged under 30 years old.

So, this March, I am walking to support Soldier On's mental health services and programs to help prevent veteran suicide and save lives.

It would mean so much to me if you donated to support my challenge so that we can show veterans and their families that they are not alone... we stand strong with them.

Together, let's help our heroes march on.

Thanks so much for your support.

So far, I have helped provide:

113

peer support
sessions

108

employment
support

6

psychology
sessions

...to support the mental health of our brave veterans to help them march on.

My Kokoda Track Journey

So far, I have marched:

96km

24kms until I reach Return to Eora Creek

My goal to Kokoda and back:

192km

My Achievements

Thank you to my sponsors

Legend Rank

Champion Rank

Defender Rank

Ally Rank

$527.50

David Blows

$206.20

Kieren Saunders

Happy To Support Dave for a Great cause!

$158.25

Stephanie Blows

$149.81

Sarah

Such a great cause, thank you

$106.12

Tony Middis

$106.12

Bianca

Amazing work hon. Walking will be quicker now with a shorter beard :)

$106.12

Jim Mcluckie

Great work mate, VERY worthy cause.

$102.12

Quintin Shaw

$74

Bobby Cafagna

Well done David 👍🏼

$54.12

Kayla Derschow

$54.12

Bruce Forster

Great cause

$52.92

Matt Carroll

$50

Anonymous

$50

Liane Horne

$40.37

Simon Clarke

$40.37

Vanessa Carley

$40.37

David Nie

Great cause Dave

$40.37

Paul Fowlie

$40.37

Rachel Brack

$40.37

Alan Macdonald

Well, done Dave, great cause.

$40.37

Matched Donation

$37

Jemahla Haynes

$22.58

Jenni Kingston-gregory

Goodonya Dave

$22.58

Anonymous

$527.50

David Blows

$206.20

Kieren Saunders

Happy To Support Dave for a Great cause!

$158.25

Stephanie Blows

$149.81

Sarah

Such a great cause, thank you

$106.12

Tony Middis

$106.12

Bianca

Amazing work hon. Walking will be quicker now with a shorter beard :)

$106.12

Jim Mcluckie

Great work mate, VERY worthy cause.

$102.12

Quintin Shaw

$74

Bobby Cafagna

Well done David 👍🏼

$54.12

Kayla Derschow

$54.12

Bruce Forster

Great cause

$52.92

Matt Carroll

$50

Anonymous

$50

Liane Horne

$40.37

Simon Clarke

$40.37

Vanessa Carley

$40.37

David Nie

Great cause Dave

$40.37

Paul Fowlie

$40.37

Rachel Brack

$40.37

Alan Macdonald

Well, done Dave, great cause.

$40.37

Matched Donation

$37

Jemahla Haynes

$22.58

Jenni Kingston-gregory

Goodonya Dave

$22.58

Anonymous

Thank you to my Sponsors

$149.81

Sarah

Such a great cause, thank you

$106.12

Tony Middis

$106.12

Bianca

Amazing work hon. Walking will be quicker now with a shorter beard :)

$106.12

Jim Mcluckie

Great work mate, VERY worthy cause.

$102.12

Quintin Shaw

$74

Bobby Cafagna

Well done David 👍🏼

$54.12

Kayla Derschow

$54.12

Bruce Forster

Great cause

$52.92

Matt Carroll

$50

Anonymous

$50

Liane Horne

$40.37

Simon Clarke

$40.37

Vanessa Carley

$40.37

David Nie

Great cause Dave

$40.37

Paul Fowlie

$40.37

Rachel Brack

$40.37

Alan Macdonald

Well, done Dave, great cause.

$40.37

Matched Donation

$37

Jemahla Haynes

$22.58

Jenni Kingston-gregory

Goodonya Dave

$22.58

Anonymous