Dusty Langby with his mum, Sarah, Yass Valley Mayor Jasmin Jones and Councillor Al Charry.
12-year-old Dusty Langby from Warren, NSW, has just completed a challenge far bigger than himself.
Walking from Warren to Canberra to raise funds for Little Wings Australia (a not-for-profit organisation that works to fly paediatricians in to help sick children in rural communities), the Year Six boy has now hit his goal after two long weeks of walking.
Leaving his hometown on 30 August, Dusty began his walk with a dream of raising one million dollars for the foundation.
On September 15, Dusty Langby walked up the steps of Parliament House after raising more than $500,000.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was there to shake the youngster’s hand, and matched the funds raised to smash Dusty’s goal. A further million was added to the pot, meaning more than two million dollars were raised for Little Wings Australia.
After seeing the good Little Wings can do in his own community, Dusty says it was an easy decision to generate interest and support for the charity.
Dusty’s mum, Sarah Langby, who stood alongside her son for the entire journey, says she couldn’t be prouder.
“This is a huge challenge, but to see Dusty grow from this experience has impressed me so much,” she said.
“The walks are long, my body is sore, but Dusty is leading the pack, determined to give country kids a voice.
“As a parent, I couldn’t be prouder to walk behind my son. His dad, brother and our entire family feel exactly the same.”
Little Wings CEO, Clare Pearson, got to see Dusty smash his challenge, and called him an inspiration as someone who reminds Australians that the “voices of the bush matter”.
“We are incredibly proud and grateful for Dusty’s determination, passion and commitment to making a difference for regional children,” she said.
“We are equally grateful for the community that surrounds him, supports his journey and believes in his mission.
“When we come together, we have a real opportunity to help close the gap, to listen to the communities and families across the bush, understand their challenges and work together to make a meaningful difference.”
Dusty’s travels took him from Warren through Trangie, Narromine, Tomingley, Alectown, Parkes, Eugowra, Gooloogong, Cowra, Morongla Creek, Boorowa, Yass and Murrumbateman, before reaching Canberra and Parliament House.
Along the way, Dusty invited communities, schools, families, businesses and local organisations to walk with him, support his mission and help raise awareness of the healthcare challenges facing children across regional Australia.
The journey, he said, is about much more than the kilometres.
Every kilometre represents the distance many country families have to travel to access specialist healthcare. Every step represents a child waiting for an appointment. And every dollar raised brings Little Wings closer to being able to support more paediatricians travelling from major cities to regional and remote communities through the Medical Wings program.
Dusty was accompanied by a marching band for his final steps to Parliament House, accompanied by his mum and members from Little Wings, with the knowledge that he had done something truly monumental.
At the tail end of Dusty’s walk, he was greeted by the Yass Valley community, who extended support in whatever way they could, from lodging at the Murrumbateman Pub to a night of celebration and fundraising in Yass at the Australian Hotel.
Yass Valley Mayor, Jasmin Jones met with Dusty in Yass at the Aussie Hotel and said it was a true honour to meet him.
“[Dusty is] moving the dial on awareness about what it takes to get your kids paediatric care in the bush – the car trips, air flights, time off work, time away from school, leaving family behind,” she said.
With more than two million dollars raised for the cause, Dusty can take a well-earned break knowing he has done something truly incredible.
For now… it seems the 12-year-old isn’t quite ready to hang up his advocacy shoes and will be leaving the fundraising account open for one more month to continue assisting Little Wings.
“I reckon there is a whole lot of people who’ll look at you and be inspired,” said Mr Albanese to an emotional Dusty at Parliament House.
“We need to lift people up and be optimistic and supportive. You embody that, my friend.”
Elizabeth Kovacs
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