A flock of Magpies will briefly hit the road today as Portland Make A Wish branch volunteers begin a 450-kilometre trek.
The One Big Red Money Walk 4 Wishes supporters will be joined by Collingwood footballers and coach Nathan Buckley when the group starts its walk from Melbourne early this morning.
Portland branch president Gail Jaensch said the group would do more than 40km a day and arrive in Portland next Tuesday.
“We’re raising money for wish children in the south-west,” she said.
“Just to see the smile on the kids’ faces and know the money is going to our area.
“It means a lot.”
Ms Jaensch said the event was started when a little man with a life-threatening medical condition said all he wanted was to go shopping with a $20 note.
“He wanted One Big Red Money, that was all he wanted,” she said.
“This is our fourth year. Our branch stretches from Portland to Winchelsea.
“We’ll be doing lots of bits and pieces along the way so stop and say hello.
“We’ve had great support from VicRoads and Victoria Police.”
The group will also be joined on the walk by Wilbur Wilde and Hey Hey It’s Saturday’s The Music Men.
To keep up to date with the how the walkers are travelling visit the Portland Branch of Make A Wish Foundation on Facebook.