THE 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment has barely finished moving to Townsville but they've already given the other Infantry units their marching orders - all in the name of charity.
Soldiers from 3RAR have urged their new mates in the 1st and 2nd Battalions, as well as retired members of the Royal Australian Regiment, to join them in the RAR Buddies Stomp for Support on Australia Day.
3RAR are so eager for members of the other Infantry units to join them on the stomp they have even issued a special invitation for 2RAR to bring along their floaties and 1RAR their donkey - a cheeky reference to 2RAR's new amphibious capability and 1RAR's beloved pony mascot Septimus.
It's hoped hundreds of people will participate in the walk from Lavarack Barracks to Anzac Park on The Strand with all proceeds to go to Legacy.
The Townsville Stomp is just one of around eight events being held simultaneously around the country to raise money for the families of soldiers recently killed in action in Afghanistan.
Supporting the families of fallen soldiers is a cause close to 3RAR's heart as they will be deploying to Afghanistan later this year. 3RAR's WO2 Graeme Hunter is rallying the troops for the stomp and encouraging members of the community to donate to the appeal.
"The guys that were killed in Afghanistan recently were the catalyst for this - we wanted to show that we care," he said.
"When the story of the deaths (of Captain Bryce Duffy, Lance-Corporal Luke Gavin and Corporal Ashley Birt) first broke, everywhere except for Townsville didn't put it on the front page, they put it third or fourth.
"This is the ultimate sacrifice they've made. We don't want it to ever lose prominence.
"If, God forbid, it happens again we need to make sure we can support the families."
To donate, visit
www.everydayhero.com.au/RARbuddiesstomp and to participate in the walk and purchase a T-shirt join the RAR Buddies Facebook group.
