Motivated by his dad’s death from diabetes, West Australian Glen Hurst has embarked on this unusual adventure, to raise awareness and funds for diabetes research and has already received over $21,000 in donations on the road, not counting any donations made via the internet.

Mr Hurst is being supported by his wife Marina and friends Guy Cook and Raymond Cowcill on the journey.

The group is more than two thirds of the way through the “Hope in a Boat” project, which is being backed by the Lions Club of Albany.

“I lost my dad to diabetes a year ago and my mum also has the condition so this is a cause that’s very close to me,” said Mr Hurst.

“Our dream with this project is to help Diabetes Research WA fund medical research that may lead to a cure for diabetes so we’re urging everyone whose lives have been touched by type 1 or type 2 to kick in for the cause.”

Thursday was day 61 and $18,699kms into the 80 day journey and Mr Hurst is now heading for Melbourne and then returning to Albany, September 24.

Diabetes Research WA executive director Sherl Westlund said: “local researchers are on the brink of some incredible breakthroughs, with one team investigating a protein which could help reduce diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes and others making inroads into better treatments for type 1 diabetes so there is great hope.”

To support the project, call 0427 984 154 or donations can made to:

National Bank

Lions Club of Albany

Around Australia Fundraising

BSB   086-518     A/C   843 831 400