But, on this upcoming journey which encompasses the Upper Hunter, they’ve enlisted the services of Mr Gillis’ wife, Melissa, Cameron Burrow, Midge Gray and David Seabrook to participate in the Fire Fighters Walk for Life.

The group plans to fundraise for the Cancer Council NSW, with the main event being a walk from Tamworth to East Maitland in September.

The 265km route will follow the New England Highway, as well as pass through the towns of Werris Creek, Willow Tree, Wingen, Aberdeen, Muswellbrook and Singleton, before finishing in Lochinvar.

“Jeff and I are volunteers with the Lochinvar Rural Fire Brigade,” Mr Gillis said.

“I was inspired to act after a well-respected fire control officer passed away in the Maitland district following a battle with cancer. 

“We [Jeff and I] also had family, friends and other brigade members whom at the time were either battling cancer or on the mend.

“We’re both passionate about the cause and, supported by the Cancer Council NSW, undertook the first walk which successfully raised more than $24,000.”

So, now, they’re doing it again.

“We’ve recruited the help of more volunteer fire fighters and family,” Mr Gills said.

“We’ll be joined by my wife, Melissa, NT Fire and Rescue Service volunteer Cameron Burrows, Tasmania Fire Service/NSW RFS volunteer Midge Gray and NSW RFS volunteer David Seabrook.

“Again, we’re raising money for the Cancer Council NSW.

“We’ve also been supported, in planning and promotion, by Pausha from the Singleton office.

“As a group, we acknowledge there are many forms of cancer, and that it does not discriminate on age, gender or what a person has achieved in life.

“As such, we felt the Cancer Council NSW provides the best available assistance to the greater community.

“To date, we’ve raised in excess of $3000 but have a number of initiatives in place to raise further funds including a major raffle, motor cycle run from Newcastle to Wollombi (Sunday, September 11) and a fundraising night at the Lochinvar Hotel (Friday, September 23).”

The group will leave the Tamworth-based Rural Fire Service Control Centre on Saturday, September 17, and stopover at Werris Creek (September 18), Willow Tree (September 19), Wingen (September 20), Aberdeen (September 21), Muswellbrook (September 22) and Singleton (September 23), finishing at the Lower Hunter Fire Control Centre on September 24.

Donations can be made at the Do It For Cancer Page, Fire Fighters Walk for Life, or check out the online page http://firefighterswalkforlife.org/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/firieswalk/