Earlier this year in June, Dane Waites set off on foot from Belmont in Perth as the culmination of 14 years of planning, training, commitment, sacrifice; but beyond all else, it was the start of his dream finally coming true.
After a rest day in Ballarat yesterday (of which he has given himself only a few), today, Saturday 9 September 2017, Dane sets off north east to run the 45 kilometres from Ballarat to Daylesford in Victoria.
Dane is raising money for autism and mental health in support of the Autism CRC, Autism Spectrum Australia and Beyond Blue. He is running for three months to cover the 4,000 kilometres from Australia’s west coast to the far south east coast of New South Wales, averaging up to 50 kilometres a day, arriving in his hometown of Pambula at the end of September. Dane is autistic and is known by many as a man with a positive attitude and relentless perseverance. He always has a smile on his face and wants to be a voice for the voiceless.
“This run is not about me. It’s about autism awareness and mental health. To help people have a good life and a happy life, to give them hope and freedom.”
Dane’s mother Junee has worked tirelessly in advocating for awareness of disability issues, particularly in the area of autism. In recognition of her contribution, Junee was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2014.
Dane has so many supporters he is meeting on his journey across Australia. If you see him running through your town, be sure to give him a wave or a toot of your car horn to cheer him on. He’s on the home stretch now!