Redlands College student Riley Deagon has walked seven hours and 20 minutes from her Sheldon home to Wellington Point and back all in the name stopping domestic violence.
The 14-year-old said she researched the number of sexual assaults and domestic violence offences in Queensland and converted it into hours and minutes for the walk to raise awareness for Full Stop Foundation.
Riley said she felt the foundation, which provided support and resources to Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia to reduce sexual assault and domestic violence in Australia, was a worthy cause.
“I’ve always been passionate about stopping domestic violence and sexual assaults,” she said.
“I feel that everyone should be able to speak out and ask for support.”
Riley said she raised more than $1000 by raising funds in the community and at her school, Redlands College.
“I held a bake sale and spider store – made with soft drink and ice cream – at school and I busked with my chello at the Cleveland Markets,” she said.
Riley completed the walk last month with her mother, father and sister walking parts of the journey with her from Sheldon and Wellington.
“I started at 6am and finished at 1.30pm, with a short toilet break,” she said.
“I did a practise walk of three hours and when it was time to do the walk, I just went for it.
“I was a bit nervous because I hadn’t done any walkathons or proper training before but I knew I was going to do it for the cause.”
Riley said she was proud of her achievement and hoped to continue to raise awareness for the cause.