The Mollymook couple will tackle the Kokoda Track for 11 days in August and have stepped up their training to ensure they are ready for the challenge.

The surf club volunteers hope to not only raise funds for their club, but to gain a “deeper respect and understanding for our soldiers past and present on the 100th year anniversary of Gallipoli”.

“Initially Kokoda was on John’s bucket list, as he turns 50 this year, but as we looked into it I realised I would like to take on the challenge with him,” Margy said.

“We are just an average couple with two teenagers, who joined the Mollymook Surf Club to encourage our children to lead active healthy lives and learn ocean skills.

“With our son Darcy we all achieved our Bronze Medallion and patrol together - giving back to this great community.”

The couple say they are not fitness or boot camp savvy, but enjoy ocean swimming, walking and surfing. 

“So we need to do quite intensive training over the next six months to be ready for Kokoda,” Margy said.

“We haven’t trekked anything on this scale before, but with lots of training and a positive mindset and attitude we will tackle it together.

“It will be hot, humid and muddy, with lots of insects and lots of up and down hills, but the experience of trekking Kokoda and learning more about our war history at the place it occurred will be humbling.”

While researching local soldiers who served in Kokoda, surf club member Anthony Austin discovered Margy’s grandfather served in WWI and WWII and two of her uncles served in WWII, one in Japan and the other in Papua New Guinea.

With a fundraising target of $7,000, and more than $500 already raised, the pair will be holding a series of fundraisers in the coming months, including a raffle to be drawn at the Ocean Classic on April 11, an 80s disco in March at the surf club and a trivia night.

Supporters can sponsor the Reeds via the Everyday Hero website or search Mollymook Surf Club on Facebook.