Mission accomplished for Tinnie Boys

John and Robert Fels with their tinnie before they set off for Cairns.

IN early July, The Reporter broke the story about the Tinnie Boys, Robert and John Fels, who had set themselves an almost impossible mission, to travel from Southport to Cairns in a four metre tinnie, all in the name of charity.

Kylie Triggell caught up with John Fels last week as he pulled into Cardwell in North Queensland to find out how the trek was going.

“This is the best trip up from Surfers Paradise I've ever had,” John said.

“I came up through the Hinchinbrook channel, it was amazing.

“It was the best day I've had in 1800 kilometres.”

John said he had had to travel through some pretty ordinary weather since the tinnie was launched on August 1, and had spent some long hours on the water but he didn't regret a thing about the trip.

“I've got a cause to finish,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to pulling into Cairns' harbour.

“This has been the biggest adventure, it's the greatest thing I've ever done.”

The Tinnie Boys are on a quest to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation after John's friend, David, was diagnosed with the illness.

“He wanted to go on a fishing trip to Cairns (but he's too sick at the moment), so I thought ‘blow it, I wonder if the tinnie will make the trip',” John said before they set off.

He contacted the Leukaemia Foundation and was made an official ambassador. What's more, the boys have managed to raise about $41,000 and are still receiving donations.

“We've met some wonderful people, and got non-stop donations.” John said.

The Tinnie Boys were expected to arrive in Cairns earlier this week.

If you would like to support the Tinnie Boys, donations can be made at www.thetinnieboys.org.