Together We Can

Peter Baines had been a leading forensic investigator with the NSW Police before he was deployed to Bali in 2002 after the bombings, and then to Thailand after the Boxing Day tsunami. It was during the aftermath of the tsunami that Peter started the Hands Across the Water charity. The biggest impact upon Peter during his work in Thailand was meeting a group of Thai children orphaned by the tsunami. Returning to Australia, Baines made a commitment to support these 32 children who were living in the tent in the grounds of a Buddhist temple. The initial objective of the Hands Across the Water was to build a home for these children, and it was this first home that marked the finishing line of the Run to Remember, exactly 20 years to the day of the tsunami. During the 20-year period from 2004 to 2024, Hands Across the Water under the direction and leadership of Baines, has raised over $40 million, supporting 46 of their children through a diverse range of university degrees, and expanding operations to five entities across three countries. Together We Can is not a story of one man’s 20-year commitment to children and communities in need. Nor is it simply a story of physical achievement – the likes of which many simply cannot comprehend. It is the celebration of what can be achieved together. It is the celebration of the best of humanity, through what were often the most difficult times. One of the main learnings from this incredible feat of endurance (running the equivalent of 33 marathons in 26 days) was that although Peter was the only person who completed the run, it took a team to get him across the finishing line. The lessons are invaluable for businesses, organisations and sports teams – and it is these lessons that remain with Peter (and hopefully the reader) long after the blisters have healed.