By Conor Tobin

Twenty-year-old Jimmy Harrington is walking around Australia to raise money for cancer research.

The idea came about in 2010 when Jimmy was fresh out of high school and working in a café.

It was here he met Emily Crook, a young girl who at the time was undergoing treatment for brain cancer.

“How positive she was inspired me, it made me realise how lucky some people have got it,” he said.

“I just wanted to do something to help.”

This was the second time Emily had battled cancer and won, unfortunately she wasn’t as lucky when it came back for a third time later that year.

Ever since then Jimmy has wanted to help find a cure for cancer in any way he can.

Jimmy took part in the World’s Greatest Shave last year and raised $600 for charity.

His plan originally was to just walk around Adelaide, but Jimmy believes ‘if you want to do something – do it big’.

After two-and-a-half years of planning Jimmy is walking up to 80 kilometres a day to complete the 18,000 kilometre journey by May next year.

“This is going to sound lame but I started training by walking around the block once or twice,” he said.

GALLERY: A few photos of Jimmy’s journey so far.

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Jimmy’s goal is to raise $300,000 – all money raised from the journey will be donated to The Brainchild Foundation.

“I wanted to find a charity that wasn’t as well known and help them,” he said.

“I just love what they stand for and what they do for the kids.”

While a normal contribution to charity would suffice, it’s not fitting of his motto of doing things big.

Jimmy isn’t able to put his finger on how this burning desire to help others came about.

“To be honest I have no idea,” he said.

“I’ve just wanted to help people ever since I can remember.”

Jimmy had a hard time at high school and wants this walk to show everyone that anything is possible.

“When I was in high school I was bullied a lot, he said.”

“Just stay positive and know that it gets better.”

AUDIO: Hear how Jimmy’s desire to walk around Australia came about.

This time next year Jimmy will have completed his walk around Australia and he hopes to be gearing up for his next.

“I want to do another walk in the future for breast cancer around the UK,” he said.

“I want to go to Africa and volunteer also, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

You can donate to Jimmy’s campaign online at GiveNow.

For more information head to the Jimmy’s Walk For Cancer website.

You can also follow his journey around Australia on Facebook and Twitter @JimHarringtonAU.