Greg and four other people with Usher Syndrome (a degenerative condition that affects both hearing and vision) will walk the track in August to raise awareness of the condition.

Dubbed ‘Defying Adversity’, the trek is also a fundraising venture for Usher Syndrome Support Group, which is run by Senses Foundation WA.

Greg walks up to 24 kilometres a day – from West Cessnock to Aberdare, down Duffie Drive and back, twice – with his beloved guide dog Pax.

But as he cannot take Pax on the trek due to the risk of fox bait, Greg has been out on his own most days of late, with a 30-kilogram backpack on his back in readiness for the trek.

Accompanied by a support team, the Usher Syndrome group is hoping to enter the Guinness Book of World Records as the first group of people with low vision and hearing to walk the Bibbulmun Track.

The Cessnock community has thrown their support behind Greg, with a recent trivia night raising more than $4500.

The $4000 was sent to the charity while the remainder went towards Greg’s airfares for the trip.

Bronwyn Davis-Jones from Mai-Wel LabourForce Solutions (where Greg is a client) organised the trivia night with help from Graham Farish (Wine Country Motor Inn) and Mike Hocking from Sternbeck’s Real Estate, who also conducted a charity auction.

The crowd of 185 was given the opportunity to ask Greg questions on the night.

“It was a good opportunity for people to realise that Greg has so many abilities, as opposed to disabilities,” Bronwyn said.

Greg and Bronwyn would like to thank the community for their generosity.

There’s still time to make a contribution: go to www.defyingadversity.com/donate.