RESIDENTS of a NSW Central Coast retirement village are paying tribute to World War II heroes by taking part in The Kokoda Track 10,000 Steps Challenge.
Run by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the event is a virtual walking challenge in which participants aim to walk 10,000 steps a day while mapping their progress against significant battlegrounds on the Kokoda Track.
Retired RAAF engineering officer Doug Roser is captain of the Forries Fabulous Five - a team of walkers from Forresters Beach Retirement Village including two other veterans Max Carter and Geoff Nichols.
"Those remaining veterans are in their early 90s and we won't have many of them around for too long," Doug said.
"We are very supportive of anything commemorating or remembering World War II."
Forresters Beach Assistant Village Manager Julie Ramage said the team was looking forward to taking part in the challenge.
"It's a great way for residents to work together to keep fit, while recognising those who have served," she said.
The 10,000 Steps Challenge started on October 21 and runs until November 17, marking the beginning of Veterans' Health Week.
Veterans' Health Week is an opportunity for veterans, current service personnel and their families to focus on improving their physical and mental wellbeing.
"The whole idea is to get veterans to exercise to help avoid some of the long-term ailments older people get," Doug said.
"We're all pretty competitive and we'll probably aim for more than 10,000.
"As we age, those of us who are able should get off our butts and make sure we exercise!"
