The community will spring into action this season in support of a worthy cause.
About 100 walkers, paddlers and drivers will travel from Wollongong University to St George League’s Club on the October 22-23 weekend for the inaugural Michael Tynan Memorial Challenge.
The challenge celebrates both the life of Tynan Motors founder Michael Tynan and the 50th anniversary of the business he founded at Sutherland in 1966.
It aims to raise $500,000 for St George Sutherland Medical Research Foundation.
Among those making the trek along Royal National Park’s coastal walk include a team of 10 from St George Hospital, two former St George Dragons players, Sutherland Shire parliamentarians Shaun Timmins and Dan Hunt, federal treasurer and Cook MP Scott Morrison and Cronulla MP and environment minister Mark Speakman.
Most members of the extended Tynan family and Tynan employees are also taking part.
Organiser, Madeline Tynan, said she had been blown away by the enthusiasm of those who had signed up for the gruelling journey.
A fleet of 10 to 15 crews will paddle their way up the coast to Port Hacking.
Crews from Dolls Point have also signed up, and will be followed by support craft carrying relief rowers.
At Bundeena, they plan to meet with walkers and rally cars, and row across Port Hacking to Cronulla and then to Southern Districts Rugby Union Club for a movie night under the stars.
The next morning, on Sunday, walkers will head to Sharkies for breakfast and then to Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery.
There they will take part in creating a work of art that will be auctioned to raise money for the St George Sutherland Medical Research Foundation.
The route includes stops at Westfield Miranda and Tynan Motors businesses at Sutherland Kirrawee before finishing at St George Leagues Club.
- The challenge is being supported by: The University of Wollongong, St George and Sutherland Leagues Clubs, the Illawarra Mercury and St George & Sutherland Shire Leader, St George Bank, Tradies and Westfield Miranda.