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Model Elaine Harris Travels From UK To Australia Without Spending A Penny

Model Elaine Harris Travels From UK To Australia Without Spending A Penny

She took part in the 10-day-long challenge to raise cash for charity

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A model has managed to travel 10,000 miles, from the UK to Australia, for free after blagging journeys on planes, buses, ferries, tractors and tuk tuks.

Elaine Harris, 38, got all the way to Sydney after taking on the gruelling 10-day challenge to raise money for charity.

Elaine Harris blagged her way onto way onto planes, trains and lorries.
SWNS

The mum-of-two started out on her journey on 21 July from her home in Forfar, Angus, by hitching a lift on a tractor.

Despite not spending a penny on travel, Elaine has passed through a bunch of countries including Germany, Czech Republic, Bangkok, Vietnam and Kuala Lumpur before finally landing in Sydney 10 days later.

To celebrate the end of her epic journey, Elaine climbed up the Sydney Harbour Bridge. At that point, I think all I'd be able to manage would be heading to the nearest pub, but fair play to her.

Elaine, who was a finalist on UK's Top Model, had to carefully ration her food and water supplies and charge her phone where she could, while hitching lifts on lorries and in cars - but she says the worst part was the lack of sleep and a whopping 25-hour bus ride from Bangkok to Vietnam, via Cambodia.

The mum-of-two even travelled via alpaca at one point.
SWNS

"When I was starting the challenge, I had no idea what to carry," Elaine said.

"I took 10 protein bars and I ate them all. I'm so grateful for them, I was having one meal a day and a protein bar.

"I had to ration everything. I rationed water, food and even the charge on my phone.

"When people gave you food or anything, you would just appreciate it. I wouldn't ask them to give me stuff but once I got chatting to people, they would help but it was all very genuine. Some people would give me money for food.

"Hitching for the lorries was terrifying. My heart was in my mouth, but I honestly didn't come across anything negative within the 10 days.

"By day three, the whole challenge just blew up and everyone got behind me through social media.

Elaine relied on the kindness of strangers for travel and even food.
SWNS

"It was so cool to start out with a tractor in Scotland and end up in Australia. The whole journey has been surreal."

Her journey included tractors, planes, motorbikes, lorries, trams, buses, trains, tuk tuks and even an alpaca.

Elaine added: "The lack of sleep and food was probably the hardest thing for me. I was relying on people to feed me because I was in transit the whole entire time.

"I think I went through seven days without having a proper bed to sleep on."

But the challenge wasn't just for a laugh, Elaine pushed herself to raise funds for a clinic to provide dental and eye-care to children in the Isle of Sal, in Cape Verde.

The mum said: "I thought about doing something where you take a chance on people being good.

"I felt like most stories that are reported are about the dangers in the world so I thought of something which will show the good in people.

"My kids are really proud of me and my eldest worked in the clinic with me so she's very aware of the work we do. She's full of empathy. She is proud of me.

Elaine managed to get all the way to Australia without spending any cash.
SWNS

"I just think about how many other kids I can help.

"At the moment, it hasn't really sunk in that I've achieved this. It's about the goodwill of people. If it wasn't for those people helping me along the way I wouldn't have managed to get to where I got to.

"This journey has not changed my perception of people, but it certainly has restored my faith in people.

"It's just incredible."

Elaine says about 50 people helped her on the trip.

If you want to check out Elaine's journey and who she met along the way, you can do so here.

To donate to the Cape Verde Dental and Optical Clinic, click here.

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: uk news, Australia