Many people have taken to enjoying a walk in the outdoors during Sydney's covid lockdown, but Matthew Reid is taking things a few steps further.
The Silverdale resident is preparing for a 10-day walk from Glenmore Park to Canberra in November to raise funds for The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
Mr Reid will also be using the trek to celebrate the life and achievements of Canadian athlete Terry Fox.
"He is one of the greatest athletes of all time," Mr Reid said.
"He's an amazing example of what people can achieve when they put their minds to it. He ran a marathon everyday for 143 days with a prosthetic leg.
"He had a defective heart and had pain in his stump but what inspired him was helping children in the cancer ward - and more than $800 million has been raised in his name to date."
Mr Reid will take breaks along his journey to visit schools in Bargo, Buxton and Picton to share Mr Fox's journey.
"I really want to inspire the kids," he said.
"This a story you would never believe but it really happened.
"It shows what people can do if they really want to help others - and the kids will be raising money to help sick kids as well."
The 53-year-old completed a walk from Sydney to Melbourne in 2015 to raise funds for the Starlight Foundation and ran the Terry Fox Walk/Run in Ryde in 2018 and 2019.
Mr Reid was originally planning to start the walk to Canberra in September but ongoing COVID restrictions prompted him to change the start date to November 1.
"I'll be starting at Glenmore Park High School which is my son's school," he said.
"I wanted to do the work to share Terry's legacy and to raise some funds for sick kids.
"I am putting my body on the line to show the kids that even someone my age can make a difference."
Fellow Silverdale local, Chris Bright, will join Mr Reid for 100km of the journey.
"He's a great guy and he'll be helping to raise some money as well," Mr Reid said.
"It's great having his support and having the support of Wollondilly."
Mr Reid encouraged locals to support the cause, and follow his journey in the lead up to the walk in November.
"Even a small donation can help," he said.
"If everyone donated $10 or $20 each it would go a long way to help these kids."
To donate, visit: www.bandagedbear.org.au/fundraiser.
To follow Mr Reid's journey, visit: www.facebook.com/Walk-for-Terry-Fox-To-inspire-our-Kids.