Lacey Group director, Adam Lacey and his mates, Steve Lock, Murray Emmerson and James Collins, are on a quest to change the lives of young Aussies, by taking part in this year’s Kokoda Challenge.
The 96km endurance team event will see the group, who call themselves ‘The Jams’, trekking for up to 39 hours straight through some of the toughest terrain on the eastern seaboard.
With a goal to raise more than $10,000 for the Kokoda Youth Foundation, Adam said the team were looking forward to embodying the spirit of Kokoda by walking in memory of Australian diggers.
“Muzz raised the idea and we all thought it was a tough challenge for a worthy cause. The Kokoda Youth Foundation represents courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice,” he said.
“The training has been gruelling. Running 20kms on the road is completely different to 20kms up and down hills. But with months of training behind us, we are ready to take on the challenge and at the same time raise funds to support the foundation’s life changing youth programs.”
Operated by the Kokoda Youth Foundation, the Kokoda Challenge was designed to achieve three main things:
- keep the spirit of Kokoda alive through educating participants about the history of the Kokoda Campaign in 1942,
- raise funds for local youth programs that transform the lives of kids in our community,
- deliver Australia’s toughest team endurance event where competitors can push their own physical and mental limits while walking in the footsteps of our diggers.
The Kokoda Youth Foundation is a Gold Coast charity that runs experiential Youth Programs, inspiring young Aussies to reach their full potential. The foundation takes kids from all walks of life and provides them with free programs that have life changing capabilities. These kids are fondly known as the Kokoda Kids.
Murray, a team leader for Hutchinson Builders’ Coolangatta office, Steve, who is operations manager for National Storage QLD and James, a contracts administrator for Hutchinson Builders’ Coolangatta office, said they are looking forward to working together as a team to complete the challenge.
“Our focus throughout the whole experience has been to work as a team, stay on top of nutrition and to communicate how we are feeling, and now we are ready to take it on together,” said Murray.
“Training for this monster has been certainly different. Getting up at 3am to run 30km in the dark with headlamps and walking poles isn’t something I’m used to,” said Steve.
Anyone wishing to support The Jams on their mission to change the lives of Aussie kids can do so by making a tax deductible donation at https://www.kokodachallenge.com/fundraisers/AdamLacey/kokodachallenge-gold-coast-96km-men-2023. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only. While we endeavour to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the article or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in it. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
The article may contain opinions, viewpoints, or recommendations from various individuals or organisations. These do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication or its affiliates. Any action you take upon the information in this article is strictly at your own discretion, and we will not be liable for any losses, damages, or injuries arising from its use.
Furthermore, the publication does not endorse or recommend any specific fundraising campaigns, organizations, or individuals mentioned in the article. Any mention of such entities is purely for informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation.
The publication reserves the right to modify or update the content of this article at any time without prior notice. We encourage readers to independently verify any information before participating in or donating to any fundraising initiative.