Albany Lions Club members Glen Hurst and Raymond Cowcill are on a mission to fund a cure for diabetes.

It’s unusual to see a boat hooked up to anything smaller than an SUV in these parts, but they have towed their  tinny thousands of kilometres across Australia to fund medical research. 

Originally born out of Mr Hurst’s need for a lightweight trailer to get from Albany to Queensland on a different trip, it’s now a very functional talking point that attracts curious tourists who don’t mind donating their gold coins to the cause. 

Mr Hurst and Mr Cowcill have a support team by their side, but said they rely purely on human kindness to get them from town to town. 

“We have no budget for accommodation, all the money we collect goes straight into the tins,” Mr Hurst said. 

“The Lions Clubs feed and water us wherever we go but if they aren’t able to we fend for ourselves.”

Mr Hurst said every dollar raised by Lions Clubs across Australia will go to support advances in diabetes research and a recent breakthrough in diabetes treatment by Professor Grant Morahan from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. 

Travelling through Mount Isa with their trailer wasn’t an easy feat either. 

The crew said the famous Barkly winds delivered strong headwind gusts on their way in from Camooweal and they were even asked by local police to remove a flashing light affixed to the main bike to attract attention and keep them safe on the long journey through North West Queensland.

Donations can be made by direct deposit to Hope in a Boat at NAB BSB 086 518, ACC 84 383 1400. Donations over $2 are tax deductable.

To donate look out for the Hope in a Boat crew this morning in Mount Isa or contact Albany Lions Club on 08 9841 5446.