Justin Christoforou, Sam Miller and Jeremy Burgess have put in the weekly kilometres in preparation for the trek from Warrnambool to Halls Gap, with money raised going to Peter’s Project.

Prior to the fires being contained on Monday night  the three friends were considering their options and a possible postponement to March.

“It definitely put some doubts there for us,” Mr Burgess said.

“It was more though about not being allowed to go. Once we knew the roads were open we were right.

“We didn’t want to postpone.”

Mr Miller said they were looking forward to the last leg of the walk through the Grampians.

“You just see so much more when you’re walking,” he said.

Mr Christoforou came up with the idea after deciding to take a long walk with his dog. 

It became a 10-kilometre walk and he decided he’d like to do more long distances.

“I thought it would be good to do something for someone else,” he said.

“I told the boys and they jumped on board.”

Each week they’ve done a few short walks between 15, 20 and 30 kilometres.

The Warrnambool Cheese and Butter workers will start this morning from Lady Bay and rest tonight in Hawkesdale.

Tomorrow they plan to walk to Dunkeld and stay at the caravan park. On Sunday they’ll be greeted by family and friends in Halls Gap.

Mr Miller said the group had received fantastic support from the community, with the Hawkesdale Hotel putting them up tonight.

Donation tins have been set up around Warrnambool and so far close to $5000 has been raised.

Donations can be made via ANZ BSB: 013 900 A/c: 385 555 479, donor name The Gap.