Champions Challenge for Kids with Autism

Nearly 90 Brisbane locals will tackle a 42km trek from Mt Glorious to The Gap as part of the annual Champions Challenge event, which raises funds and awareness for children with autism, on Sunday 15 July, 2018.

AEIOU Foundation is the beneficiary of the event, which aims to raise $50,000. Event organiser Steve Williams says Champions Challenge is the brainchild of a group of mates, who not only sought an opportunity to challenge themselves, but a chance to make a real, life-changing difference to children with autism and their families.

And that he does, with the William’s family having raised around $100,000 for AEIOU in the last six years.

“Our son Jacob attended AEIOU Foundation in 2012, and we’ve supported AEIOU ever since. We do this in a number of ways – as well as Champions Challenge, we also host our annual Team Jacob craft beer lunch.”

Steve sees his family’s contribution as a way to bring people together. “As a father, you can feel a bit hopeless in those early days of a diagnosis. I knew nothing about autism until Jacob was diagnosed, so it is our aim that  events like Champion’s Challenge bring it to people’s attention.”

AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith commends Steve and his wife Karen for their tireless commitment. “Organisation’s like ours rely on the kind of goodwill and sense of community the William’s family emulate. We’re very grateful.”

As for the Champions Challenge itself, Steve anticipates some ‘gnarly’ climbs over the 12-hour course. “One of the things people take away from this challenge is the great sense of camaraderie, a sense of achievement and the fact that you start together and finish together,” he says.

The event, which is in its second year, has doubled in size. Participants include many corporate partners and supporters from leading consultancy firms Lambert & Rehbein and SMEC and leading construction contractors including BMD, Pensar  and Shadforths Civil, to name a few.  

DETAILS:

Date: Sunday 15 July

Time: 5.00am

Location: meet at the Brisbane City Council Enoggera Reservoir Bus Station, where hikers will be transported by bus to Mt Glorious.

There will be a checkpoint at Mt Nebo State School, which marks the half-way mark at about 11.30am. Hikers will cross the finish line at the Enoggera Reservoir around 5.30pm, and will be joined by family and friends, for a celebratory BBQ at the finish line.  

For more information, go to https://www.championschallenge.com.au/about-champions-challenge/

To support Champions Challenge visit www.championschallenge.com.au.

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