Great Australian Charity Cattle Drive. Photo: Facebook

MORE than 1600 head of cattle have walked over 500 kilometres as part of the Great Australian Charity Cattle Drive, which is raising funds to help feed homeless and disadvantaged Australians.

The mob left Longreach in May and are being walked along stock routes in Western Queensland to raise funds for BeefBank, a charity that provides meat to FareShare.

The cattle are currently near Morven and will walk the remaining 275km to arrive in Roma in the first week of August.

In an effort to raise funds people have been able to buy a saddle and join the drive, adopt a steer or make a donation directly to BeefBank.

Towards the end of the drive 10 students from Mitchell State School are joining the drive to experience two nights as drovers.

“Students from year 7 to 10 had to apply and explain what they would gain from the experience, from that process we selected 10,” said Jeremy Heslop, Ag Science Teacher at Mitchell State School.

“We have quite a diverse group of students – some who have prior experience with cattle and mustering and others who are very green and have never done anything like this before.

“I have had experience prior to teaching and am heavily involved in the beef industry myself, so I see the need for students to experience and understand the industry and have these experiences that get them out of their comfort zone. All of the students are very excited and are looking forward to the experience.”

Mr Heslop and the students are joining the drive on 28 July and will have two nights of camping, riding 10km a day into Mitchell.

Win a trip of a lifetime and support the cause

To support the drive, you can purchase tickets in the major raffle to win a trip of a lifetime, which will be drawn at the end of the drive on Wednesday, 6 August.

The winner will have exclusive use of a Pilatus PC 12 and pilot for four days flying around Queensland with five friends, attending the Birdsville Races, fishing in the Gulf and staying at some iconic sheep and cattle stations.

The prize is valued at over $100,000 with all return flights to Brisbane, all meals and accommodation included. Tickets are $100 each or $1000 for 15.