Walk for Daniel marks the opening event of Australia's largest child safety awareness day

An ever-growing annual charity walk, which honours Daniel Morcombe and raises child safety awareness, will be held at Woombye on Friday, October 29.

The 17th Walk for Daniel is set to start at Suncoast Christian College at 6am, with participants walking 4km to Briggs Park in Palmwoods.

It symbolises a trip home that Daniel was not able to complete.

He was abducted from Nambour Connection Road, while waiting for the bus to Sunshine Plaza, aged 13, in 2003.

Daniel’s parents Bruce and Denise Morcombe established The Daniel Morcombe Foundation in 2005, to educate children about how to stay safe in physical and online environments and to support young victims of crime.

The Walk for Daniel marks the opening event of Day for Daniel, the nation’s largest child safety education and awareness day.

“This is my favourite day of the year, and our walk is the most memorable event,” Denise said.

“We wear red in memory of Daniel.”

Bruce encouraged people to take part in the walk.

“Yes, the event is on this year, it is free, you just need to go to our website and register to attend, so please come and join us,” he said.

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It is estimated that more than 1.5 million people across Australia will participate in Day for Daniel this year.

This includes more than 5500 schools and hundreds of businesses, public and private events.

One of the groups getting behind the day is well-known pizza chain Domino’s.

Fourteen of their stores, from Maryborough to Beerwah, are set to host a ‘Doughraiser’ on Friday.

They will donate 50 cents from every pizza sold to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation in support of Day for Daniel. They hope to raise more than $5000.

Domino’s head office will support the stores’ efforts by matching funds raised, dollar-for-dollar.

Domino’s Sunshine Coast franchisee Andrew Wood said the outlets were eager to support a good cause.

“The other participating Domino’s franchisees and I feel privileged to be able to give back to our community,” he said.

“Through supporting Day for Daniel, we know that the funds we raise will help to make a difference in ensuring more children understand how to stay safe, while also helping to support young victims of crime.” 

Participating stores are at Maryborough, Gympie, Maroochydore, Coolum, Pacific Paradise, Noosa, Nambour, Mooloolaba, Warana, Buderim, Sippy Downs, Caloundra, Currimundi, and Beerwah.

For more information about the Walk for Daniel and Day For Daniel go to danielmorcombe.com.au/

Walk for Daniel

• Starts at Suncoast Christian College, Woombye, at 6am, with participants walking 4km to Briggs Park, Palmwoods.
• Park at the finish of the Walk – Palmwoods Warriors Football Club on Jubilee Drive and catch the free shuttle bus to the start of the walk.
• No dogs allowed to travel on the buses.
• Ensure all children under 14 years of age are supervised.
• The path is suitable for prams and wheelchairs.
• Adhere to all COVID-Safe procedures, including check-ins and wearing a mask if you are not able to socially distance.