A long-time fan of the reality TV series The Amazing Race, Thornlie resident Brenda Wilkinson jumped at the chance to live out her dream and take part in the iconic TV series.
Now back on home soil, she is just about to undertake another trek, raising money for Australian wildlife.
A long-time fan of the show, Brenda – or Bren as she prefers – first applied to take part in the show way back in 2011.
“I did a video audition with my partner and obviously we didn’t make it on, but I saw the 2020 season and we got asked if we’d like to audition again,” she said.
“My fella didn’t want to do it, so my friend Anja, we do a lot of hiking and stuff together, we did the video audition and kept on getting call backs and call backs.
“We just kept on going and that was that, we got on the show.”
Despite only lasting one episode, Bren said it was an experience she’ll never forget.
“It was surreal, behind the scenes is very different, but it was just amazing.
“We didn’t stay in it as long as most teams but we got to go to Morocco, that was fantastic, we met brilliant people and we experience the race in its reality.”
Now that she is home, Bren, along with Anja, are taking another trek with a slightly less phrenetic pace, from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Cape Leeuwin, Augusta.
“It’s been Anja’s dream to do cape to cape but she didn’t have anyone else who was enthusiastic, but after the Amazing Race I was all in.
“We’re always finding ways to raise money for different animal charities so because we’re doing beach walks and clean-ups along the way, we decided to raise money for WA Seabird Rescue.
“It’s 123km and it will take about a week, so it’s a slightly more relaxed pace than the Amazing Race.
“A lot less strenuous, there won’t be the same pressure, but we’ll be taking video footage and documenting the experience.
“We’re doing this one for a reason and it’s all the more worth it.”
You can help Bren and Anja reach their fundraising goals at https://www.givenow.com.au/cr/daggyveganbuddies
