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Stepping up to the treadmill for 24-hour care
May 31, 2024
On Friday 24 to Saturday 25 May, our very special community stepped up to the treadmills to take on 24 hours of non-stop motion!
The 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge, saw more than 800 participants keep 29 NovoFit treadmills running for 24 hours, finishing with a celebratory confetti canon explosion – and some very sore feet and muscles!
Thank you to our wonderful community for participating in and supporting this vibrant event. Together we raised more than a sweat, fundraising over $650,000 for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, and their families.
Very Special Kids Acting Chief Executive Officer Donna Durston-McKenna thanked challenge participants and supporters for their amazing generosity and commitment.
“Congratulations to all the 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge participants and everyone who has donated. Every step taken and every dollar raised over the past 24 hours counts for a seriously sick child.”
A big thank you to 3AW’s Jimmy Bartel (pictured) who took on his own challenge in studio, virtually riding from Geelong to Mildura and raising over $35,000.
Read more about Jimmy’s ride here.
Cara Lukav was another who participated for the fourth year. The nine-year-old, whose mum is a palliative care nurse at Very Special Kids, set a fundraising goal of $4,000 before the event and had already surpassed the target before her first step on the treadmill.
Cara finished as one of the event’s top fundraisers, raising more than $6,000.
See photos from the event here
We’d also like to acknowledge our event sponsors, 3AW, NovoFit, Genesis and Harry the Hirer. The 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge would not have been possible without the support of many other participating organisations, in-kind supporters, MCs and entertainment.
Our volunteers also put in invaluable time and effort to bring this amazing event to life. Special mention goes to our volunteer award winner, Nathan Maddison, who went above and beyond to keep the treadmills in motion in the early morning!
Please also put a hand together for our top fundraisers:
Individual awards
Highest fundraising individual – Glenn Carmody
2nd highest fundraising individual – Belinda Muir
3rd highest fundraising individual – Matt Honey
Highest fundraising individual (under 18 years old) – Cara Lukav
Team awards
Highest fundraising team – ALH Hotels
2nd highest fundraising team – EY Melbourne
3rd highest fundraising team – Hey Hey, It’s VSK
Special mention also goes to Kristy Whitnell from Team Supersonic Jett for best dressed, and the team spirit award winner Icon Group.