12yo Dusty Langby arrives in Canberra after 500km walk to meet prime minister

Twelve-year-old Dusty Langby has completed a 500-kilometre walk from his hometown of Warren, New South Wales, to deliver a message to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The journey, which lasted 16 days, was undertaken to raise money for the charity Little Wings, which provides flights for rural children requiring specialist medical appointments.

Dusty and his team braved various weather conditions, including rain and sunshine, as they traversed the distance. The trek began on August 30, with Dusty's crew consisting of his mother Sarah, local nurse Christine Letton, Little Wings nurse Nichole Callan, and Little Wings CEO Clare Pearson. Dusty's goal is to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss the importance of the charity's mission and urge him to match every dollar raised for the cause.

In total, Dusty raised $423,000, which he believes will change many rural families' lives and provide more children with access to vital care. Dusty's journey involved training and adapting to walking, as he had previously been a runner. Despite the challenges, the team faced numerous supportive communities along the way, who offered food, cheered them on, and provided assistance.

Upon arriving in Canberra, Dusty expressed gratitude for the support received and mentioned that his family plans to celebrate his achievement by going camping and enjoying time together.