The K Faktor

19/04/2025

That’s it folks. Dad finally finished yesterday. 600km+ done in 30 odd days. How crazy is that? He couldn’t do the full 1002km due to bushfires making large sections of the track dangerous and the parks departments closing these sections down to walkers. Only posting today as we really wanted to soak up our time with Dad after finally reuniting with him. We all flew to Perth for the big finish, Breakthrough T1D came out, the mayor came out, council members came out and so did some supporters. Thank you to everyone who supported us along the way and believed in him. Thanks to you guys we have raised $16,330 so far and hope to hit $20,000 by the end of May. So, if you haven’t donated already, please donate using our link below. After our pictures together are some of his final pictures he took along the track. One being the fantastic view from the toilet… Definitely beats the view he has now of the regular old bathroom door! GREAT WORK DAD! So proud of you!

https://bluearmy.breakthrought1d.org.au/fundraisers/temirakarcher/blood--sweat-and-needles

14/04/2025

Delayed post this week as Dad only got service to send through some pictures today. Due to the bushfires and having to avoid many campsites, Dad will now be finishing on the 18th of April. Lots of pictures from the last week and many more to come this weekend. While walking from Donnelly River, he found the original Bunnings! No sausage sizzles at this one though… In saying that, Dad reckons his bagged spag bol was fantastic and that he’ll happily eat it when home too! Seems like this stretch of the walk has been the most interesting, as you can see in the photos. In Pemberton there were even some Royal laundromats with state of the art luxury facilities AND a TV! Not long to go now Dad! Keep pushing, you’ve got this!

Please donate and support Dad on this last stretch by using the link below:

https://bluearmy.breakthrought1d.org.au/fundraisers/temirakarcher/blood--sweat-and-needles

06/04/2025

Breakthrough T1D (formerly the JDRF) has published this article about my Dad and I and have outlined exactly why we are doing this and how this entire crazy idea came about. Most people don’t know this, but Breakthrough T1D do a TON of research into finding a cure for Type One Diabetes AND they are the reason Type One Diabetics have government subsidies for the medications and devices we need to use in order to live. Dad and I have been working with them since around October and they have truly helped us bring this entire thing to life. Please go and have a read of the article, share it and donate if you can using the link below. Also a massive thank you to everyone that has supported us thus far. Your support means more to us than you’ll ever know.

https://bluearmy.breakthrought1d.org.au/fundraisers/temirakarcher/blood--sweat-and-needles

Justin Karcher is walking 1002km to raise awareness and $55,000 for type 1 diabetes research - one blister, snake, and Fanta at a time. Support his mission and help turn type 1 into type none. 💙🚶

05/04/2025

Dad's made it to one month on the track. As you can see in the photos, his beard is really starting to come in... With greys too! I still can't believe he has been walking out in the bush, re-routing his original track plan along the way, seeing pretty much the same scenery (trees, bush and dirt) for the last 4 weeks. At least he has made it past half way now! Photo 7 shows the thorns he has had to try and avoid while trekking along. He also got to get up close and personal with Australia's most famous animal! One tree bridge looks like it was a nice landmark along the way- something different (although it is still a tree out in the middle of the bush). Not long now Dad!

Please show your support by donating to our fundraising page below:
https://bluearmy.breakthrought1d.org.au/fundraisers/temirakarcher/blood--sweat-and-needles

29/03/2025

3 weeks in and Dad's feet are worse for wear. He's lost 6 toenails and only has 4 left to go... He's doing some insanely long days, bearing 35 degree average temperatures and pushing himself to the limit. Nearly every town in the region he is about to trek into has a name ending in "up." Up means "place of". He's about to go to Balingup, Dwellingup, Buggerup, etc... If you ask me, he's going to some beautiful places of absolute punishment with these weather conditions. See the last picture for the burned trees from the bush fires out there that he's been spotting along the way.

Please use the link below to continue supporting my Dad along his journey. Thank you to everyone who has donated thus far:

https://bluearmy.breakthrought1d.org.au/fundraisers/temirakarcher/blood--sweat-and-needles

23/03/2025

Dad’s been using what’s called a “Trekker’s Friend” to help carry all of his supplies during this walk. It’s earned him the nickname of "Trolley Bitch" now. From long stretches of dirt roads to the bush, to the beach, this walk has had him surrounded by nothing but nature. The Giant Tingle Tree he’s standing under reminds me of how small we really are. Dad met a lovely couple in the last week who were kind enough to share a steak dinner with him. In comparison to his gourmet bagged dinners, I can bet that it was a bloody fantastic meal. There will be a heat wave out in WA for the next week, with the average temperature being 35 degrees. I truly wish Dad luck over this next week and hope he doesn’t sweat his pack off! Week 3, done and dusted. We love and miss you Dad!

https://bluearmy.jdrf.org.au/fundraisers/temirakarcher/blood--sweat-and-needles

16/03/2025

In the first week, I've come across multiple snakes (no wonder The Bibb's logo is of a black snake), had to reroute my entire walk due to bush fires, walked almost 60km in a single day through the pouring rain in the pitch black of night, walked through at least 30 spiders each morning and had one dry match out of 30.... To say this has been a little uncomfortable would be putting it lightly. I've barely seen another soul so far but it has given me time alone with my thoughts... Scary. Onwards we go. I wonder how my back, hips, knees and ankles will hold up. 4 days down, hundreds of kilometres to go!

https://bluearmy.jdrf.org.au/fundraisers/temirakarcher/blood--sweat-and-needles

09/03/2025

Off to Albany to begin my 55 day challenge: walking the 1002km Bibbulmun Track to raise money and awareness for Type One Diabetics like my eldest daughter. It’s gonna be tough Tough Yakka!

You can support me by clicking the link below to our fundraising page and donating. Our magic number is 55 so we're aiming high and trying to raise $55,000. 10% of all the money donated will go back to The Bibbulmun Track Foundation as they're all volunteers who keep the track conditions safe so that crazy blokes like me can walk end-to-end:

https://bluearmy.jdrf.org.au/fundraisers/temirakarcher/blood--sweat-and-needles

14/01/2025

The things we do!

04/12/2024

“Blood, Sweat and Needles!” is a video podcast (vodcast) coming to all popular platforms soon. It will include celebrity guests, a Type One Diabetic (T1D) daughter, medical professionals, comedians, fellow T1D recipients, cutting-edge researchers and one insane Dad who is preparing to walk the 1002km Bibbulmun Track from March 12th to May 5th. In their videos, this father and daughter duo will cover topics that actually matter to T1Ds, check in with Dad to see how he's fairing on the track, talk to celebrities about their knowledge of the chronic autoimmune condition all while being entertaining as well as informative. Though Type One Diabetes is a serious condition, the Karchers plan on making this education process a hilarious and enjoyable one.

Justin Karcher, corporate comedian and challenge enthusiast, is going to take on the Bibbulmun Track end-to-end in 55 days from March 12th to May 5th, finishing on his 55th birthday. He has decided to embark on this journey to raise awareness for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), of which his eldest daughter, Temira Karcher, is a recipient. Together they plan on raising funds for T1D in order to support the JDRF (soon to be Breakthrough T1D) with their research into finding a cure for Type One Diabetes, with 10% of whatever Justin and Temira raise going to the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. They are all about giving back to the community and the volunteers from BTF who work so hard to maintain and preserve the track deserve to be shown how much their efforts are appreciated. Justin and Temira want to bring about change and inform the public on all things T1D as well as introduce people to the Bibbulmun Track and this is their unique way of doing it. Their magic number, if you can't already tell, is 55 so they are hoping to raise a grand total of $55,000. If you would like to join them in raising awareness and funds for T1D as well as for The Bibbulmun Track Foundation, their fundraising page is: https://bluearmy.jdrf.org.au/fundraisers/temirakarcher/blood--sweat-and-needles

06/10/2024

Thanks lads, you've cost me $20. I've got to buy a new mouse pad.