Will Ashley is a 19 year old from Coffs Harbour, NSW. Growing up, Will has always been passionate about the outdoors and intent on finding an adventure in the situations he finds himself in. At the age of 2 Will's mum developed breast cancer and while she has since made a full recovery it is this event that saw Will and his family actively involved in fundraising for cancer while growing up. Will has previously completed a cycling trip from Coffs Harbour to Sydney, walked the Kokoda Track and completed a 2,200 km kayak trip down the Murray River; raising a total of $28,500 for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF). Another issue that Will is passionate about is seeing other teenagers living their own lives to the full and being able to have fun without a dependency on drug or alcohol. During these trips he has spread this message and helped teenagers believe they can become who they want to be through leading by example. For more information on Will's previous trips:
In September/October 2014 Will Ashley plans to cycle from Daly Waters in the Northern Territory (where he will be working for 6 months during his gap year), home to Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The trip will cover 3,200 km and he is anticipating it will take 30 days to complete the trip, camping en route. Will plans to raise $10,000 for the ACRF and spread awareness about the positive benefits of teenagers living life to the full without the need for drug or alcohol. He plans to spread this message through a combination of showing a documentary he has produced about the kayak trip he completed and motivational speaking, drawing on his past achievements and the planning and preparation they required, to inspire others to achieve their own dreams and aspirations. Will plans to deliver this presentation at schools in the towns he passes through on the journey.