As one man's long journey across the prairies by foot comes to an end in Fort McMurray, for people returning to the fire-ravaged town, another is just beginning.

"I know I won't be able to bring the whole town back," Stanley Barkman told CBC News."I just want to do what I can to help out."

Barkman finished his more than 2,000+ km walk across the country's interior on Saturday afternoon.

Stanley Barkman being welcomed to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ymm?src=hash">#ymm</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rmwb?src=hash">#rmwb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ymmfire?src=hash">#ymmfire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Mix1037radio">@Mix1037radio</a> <a href="https://t.co/75gDswLi12">pic.twitter.com/75gDswLi12</a> —@Mix1037FMNews

Since starting on May 9 just south of his northern Ontario home in Sachigo Lake First Nation, he has raised about $20,000 to help evacuees rebuild their home.

Focusing on that goal is what kept Barkman and his team, which included his father and cousins, going strong over the past month and a half.

"Every day's a tough day, especially when it's raining, one day we had snow. It just totally throws you off, you just don't even want to go out," Barkman said.

Stanley Barkman finally arrives in Fort Mac <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ymm?src=hash">#ymm</a> <a href="https://t.co/JvFHfZboWl">pic.twitter.com/JvFHfZboWl</a> —@KyleDarbyson

Barkman has done long walks before, including a walk from Sachigo Lake First Nation to Sioux Lookout in 2011 for a CT scanner at a health centre. Last year he walked from Sachigo Lake First Nation to Thunder Bay for a student living project at a high school.

But nothing has compared to this recent undertaking.

"This was the longest and most challenging walk that I've done," he said.

Before the walk, Barkman had spent little time in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, so each border crossing was a big deal — and a reminder to stay positive.

"You feel successful because you're getting closer and closer," he said.

It's a tough thing to hear the stories, what people have experienced. - Stanley Barkman

Barkman had to stop along the way to replace his running shoes numerous times. He's gone through at least 10 pairs — but his legs stopped aching early in the trek.

"Once you get through those first three or four days, you're good, you're rolling," he said.

Barkman has met more evacuees than he can count over the past month and a half. He said his heart hurts for the people who lost so much in the wildfire that ignited Fort McMurray on May 3.

"It's a tough thing to hear the stories, what people have experienced," he said.