Daniel Robinson and his mates from Bulga Coal are back again, hitting the heights of Mt Tomaree in a gruelling fundraising challenge.
When he’s not thinking up crazy new ways to test himself to the limits in the name of fundraising, Daniel is a Senior Open Cut Examiner at Bulga Coal. Last year he convinced a few of his workmates to join him in a 12 hour challenge to complete as many laps as possible going up and down Mt Tomaree.
Starting at 6pm and finishing up at 6am, the team of 5 completed 213km with a combined elevation of 16,320m. To put that in perspective, the elevation of Mt Everest is 8,849m! Even more impressive, the team raised nearly $10,000 for Headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.
This year on November 4, they will be back to conquer Mt Tomaree again. While the challenge hasn’t changed, their motivation this year is much more personal.
“One of our members from last year has since been diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma and is currently undergoing immunotherapy,” explained Daniel.
“It is such a life changing event. The positivity and determination they are showing is beyond inspirational.
“That is why this year we are fundraising for the Hunter Melanoma Foundation. We are aiming to not only raise as much funds as possible for this important local organisation, but to also raise awareness.”
The Hunter Melanoma Foundation is on a mission to defeat melanoma through education and awareness about prevention and early detection. The Hunter has traditionally had a high incidence of melanoma and Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma per capita in the world.
Two in three Australians will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime and every year about 3,000 people in NSW are diagnosed with melanoma.
The money Daniel and his team will raise will go towards education and awareness programs, research conducted locally through the Hunter Medical Research Institute & University of Newcastle, and support programs for melanoma patients and their families.
“The night will be a challenge but knowing that the money raised will be going to this amazing cause will make every step worth it,” said Daniel.
The team running with Daniel this year is Klintyn Dawson, Sawle English, Sophie Hewitt, Kane O’Malley, Laila O’Malley and Tori Van De Stadt. To the whole team, we wish you the best of luck. Show your support to their fantastic cause by making a donation through their fundraising page.
