A woman walked from Tibooburra to Broken Hill has raised more than $22,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Margaret Symes completed the 330-kilometre journey in November last year in an effort to raise funds for the service's Wellbeing Place in Broken Hill.
She said stepping out of her comfort zone had helped to draw people's attention to the cause.
"People just do their everyday thing and go about their business, but when they sort of go, 'Oh, why are you doing that?' it becomes a talking point," she said.
"The more people that were talking about it, the more interest happens.
Awareness and insight
The RFDS said it had seen a lot more interest in the Wellbeing Place as a result of Ms Symes's efforts.
South Eastern Section chief Greg Sam said the money would go towards supporting services in Broken Hill and across the network.
He praised her efforts in raising awareness and said it was always a challenge to start a service and have it accepted in the community.
"The value of Margaret being out in the communities has been to raise that awareness," he said.
"We've certainly had a lot more interest shown and it gives us a lot more insight into how to better promote the Wellbeing Place and the service more generally."
Never say never
Mr Sam said the RFDS was fortunate to have a broad support base throughout Western New South Wales, particularly in the Far West and around Broken Hill.
"It's fair to say that we're probably the best-supported NGO just because of the nature of the reliance of the service for many people, and fact that we have had a very close relationship, in terms of our staff, in terms of our service, with the community over a long period of time," he said.
"I think that commitment can be further grown through the efforts of people like Margaret."
Ms Symes said she walked for five to six hours a day during the trek, which took 13 days to complete.
"When I came in somebody asked me when was I going back out there? and I was like, 'Never!'" she said.
