MOST of us can\u2019t walk on water, but Pierre Nunns has made it a ritual.<\/p>\n
The Nerrina local has been walking thousands of steps each day in November, many of those around a running track on top of a cruise ship between Brisbane and Hobart, as part of the Stroke Foundation\u2019s Stride4Stroke fundraiser.<\/p>\n
Mr Nunns was inspired to take the challenge having lost two loved ones in the last 18 months. He also saw the campaign as an opportunity to take care of himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy elderly aunt suffered a stroke in the middle of an operation, which was one of the drivers towards losing her recently. I\u2019ve also seen the effect of stroke on other people I know,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI lost my wife to cancer last year, and I decided I could either sit in a puddle of tears, or move forward, and I\u2019ve sought to deal with it by giving something of myself, taking part in Stride4Stroke.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m in the risk category for stroke. I\u2019m 63, working long stressful hours, and as I\u2019ve gone through and received material from the foundation, I\u2019ve discovered all my friends are in the same category as me, just ticking away with risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere\u2019s an opportunity for me to do a life reset for my own health and mental wellbeing. I\u2019m getting fitter and doing good for the community in this little way that I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Every day this month, Mr Nunns has been walking roughly 10,000 steps and said he\u2019s lost seven kilograms so far.<\/p>\n
Walking laps of the cruise ship, he said he enjoyed saying hello to people along the way, many of them seniors, and some who had been stroke affected.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir eyes would light up when they found out what I was doing, and some would ask, \u2018how do I donate?\u2019 That was beautiful as they were on holiday,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve raised nearly $1500, and a little more to top it up would be the icing on the cake. It\u2019s been a really positive experience.\u201d<\/p>\n