Elite runner Reef Murfet has pushed his body to the limit, completing a gruelling 100km fundraising run for a coastal community devastated by recent bushfires.
The 23-year-old from Launceston took on the massive challenge to raise funds for residents of Dolphin Sands, a coastal town where he has spent summers at his grandparents’ shack since childhood.
Beginning at 4am on New Year’s Eve, Murfet ran three return laps from Bagot Point to Swansea, finishing at Melshell Oyster Shack around 4pm.
“It’s heartbreaking to see the impact the recent bushfires have had on this place and the people who call it home,” Murfet said.
The determined runner had raised over $4,200 before even taking his first step, with donations continuing to grow throughout the day.
He has now raised over $11,000 on his GoFundMe.
Murfet’s father followed behind in a vehicle displaying a large sign with a QR code for donations, while supporters were invited to join sections of the run either on foot or bicycle.
“While it will … push me well outside my comfort zone, it’s all for a cause that truly matters,” Murfet said.
The bushfires have severely impacted the tight-knit coastal community, with 19 homes destroyed and families displaced during what would normally be a festive holiday period.
For Murfet, the fundraiser was deeply personal, having witnessed the area’s devastation after enjoying countless summers there.
“So many homes, families, and memories have been impacted and lost,” he said.
“My hope is to make a positive difference and support members of our wider Dolphin Sands community during this devastating time.”
