A 24-hour challenge has showcased what a local school’s students and staff can do when they put their minds to it.
Glendale Technology High School hosted the Chase Your Dreams 24-Hour Challenge fundraising charity event last week, in which participants were encouraged to continually run, cycle and row for its duration.
Year 12 coordinator and co-organiser Gavin Wilson said a former staff member was the inspiration behind the idea.
“It was based on a teacher who passed away about eight years ago now – he wrote on a child’s shirt ‘Chase Your Dreams’, so we’ve held that motto for years and decided it was time to do a new challenge.”
A section of the event was dedicated to the community, which included a range of activities and a barbecue, to help raise funds for two local charities – the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) and Sione’s Academy.
The MHF is a charity formed in Newcastle by Mark and Kirralee Hughes following Mark’s diagnosis with brain cancer in 2013.
Its mission is to raise much-needed funds for research, to create awareness, and support brain cancer patients and their families.
Sione’s Academy, launched in 2018 by former rugby league first grader Sione Finefeuiaki, has provided the youth of Tonga with opportunities they didn’t have previously.
Each year, a group of volunteers travel from Newcastle to Tonga to deliver sports, education, health, wellbeing, and construction programs.
This October, the academy will rebuild a disability centre, conduct sporting clinics in cricket, netball and swimming; and deliver a Drug and Alcohol Mentoring Program.
Mr Wilson said the Chase Your Dreams 24-Hour Challenge’s success had given the school a desire to organise similar activities in the future.
“We’re wanting to do a little bit more, especially for Sione’s Academy,” he said.
“The [wet] weather hindered us a little bit, but it was really inspiring.
“The kids got involved during the day and then about 40 to 50 Year 12 students kept going overnight on the bike.
“It was amazing to see what they can do when they put their minds to it – they already embraced the idea from start.”
Visit markhughesfoundation.com.au or sionesacademy.com for more information on either charity.
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