THE UltraFest48 fitness challenge raised $21,000 that has been shared between three local organisations.
More than 70 people participated and the money went to the Swan Hill District Health MRI appeal, We Believe In Unicorns and Youth Inc’s youth housing support program.
Each organisation received $7000 from the event, which consisted of competitors running, walking, cycling or swimming every four hours over a 48-hour period.
Ken Harrison Reserve was used as a base across the October weekend.
UltraFest48 organisers Toby Gilmour and Dani Fleming were keen to see the money raised stay within the Swan Hill community.
“We wanted the money to stay local when we decided to raise money for the challenge, and we did some research on local organisations that we thought would be worthwhile ones to support,” Mr Gilmour said.
“We knew about the MRI appeal and we thought that resonated with the type of challenge that it was, being a fitness and active challenge, and an MRI obviously ties in with physical activity and getting injuries, plus it is badly needed within our community.
“With We Believe In Unicorns, we just love the work they do in supporting families with sick kids, and we’re also well aware of the issues that young people seeking emergency housing are facing and the struggle to find emergency housing.
“Emergency housing is really crucial and we thought it was a worthwhile cause and one that really struck a chord with us.”
Nyah District and Lake Boga primary schools also participated in getting active and fundraising leading up to the event.
The schools presented cheques to John Daniels from We Believe In Unicorns and Will Burns of Youth Inc.
Mrs Fleming was thankful for the schools’ support.
“We wanted to create a whole community event and that included kids, adults, everyone of all ages,” she said.
“Schools are an important part of our community, and we wanted to help get students moving and challenging themselves.
“That’s what the UltraFest48 was all about, stepping outside your comfort zone and giving something a go that you may not have thought possible.
“It was a challenge that many thought might have been a bit hard core, but after the event they realised that it was not only very achievable, but also extremely rewarding.
“We were completely overwhelmed and blown away by the generosity of the community and it would not have been as successful without their support.
“In particular, Australian Farming Services and Central Mallee Health were both incredibly generous.”
Mr Gilmour, who was among the many who ran throughout the entire event, was also quick to thank those who both completed the gruelling event and helped raise money for the worthwhile causes.
“We had the idea to do the challenge and I put it out there for other people to get involved and do it as well, and I was blown away by the number of people who did it with me,” he said.
“It was called a challenge for a reason, it was pretty difficult with a lack of sleep and there were a few times there were I was starting to get pretty sore and struggled a little bit, but it was all very much worth it in the end.”
