Mr Mangan left on Monday having arrived eight days earlier on his 22,000 kilometre walk (so far!) around the world spreading the message of early screening for cancer saves lives.

He said he was leaving town with a tinge of sadness. 

“Mount Isa has given me the most unbelievable reception I have ever received in my long travel career,” Mr Mangan said.

“So many people took time out of their busy schedules to reach out to me. What can I say? Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone for making all this possible.”

Mr Mangan said Mount Isa left him with many great memories including helping out in a soup kitchen, talking to Young People Ahead and the School of the Air and sampling the hospitality of the Mount Isa Irish Club.

He said he had to thank many people including Rebecca, the manager of the Barkly Motel who put him up for free, the manager of the Townview Hotel who provided food packages, the bike shop which fixed his buggy and Kim-Maree Burton who managed his schedule in town.

Mr Mangan said he needed just 23 kilometres out of town to register his 22,000th of this global walk.

Because of the lack of shops on the coming route Mr Mangan has arranged to have food and water packages dropped off in roadhouses along the way.

“This is the remote stretch I’ve ever done but they all were willing to do it,” he said.

“Everyone has wanted to help in my good cause – cancer awareness,” he said.