Over the weekend, five purpose-driven organisations and individuals participated in a three-day fundraising trek.
Western Chances is a non-for-profit organisation empowering young people in the west who are facing financial barriers to achieve their potential.
The Western Chances Three Peaks Trek was held across three days from Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21, trekking through the Victorian alps to reach the summit of the three peaks; Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, and Mt Timbertop.
Activations and communications co-ordinator Anthony Tran said the Western Chances team was blown away with the fundraiser. which has already surprised its $50,000 goal.
“As it currently stands, the fundraising amount has greatly surpassed our goal of $50,000 and is currently sitting over $65,000,” he said.
“We’re anticipating reaching $70,000 by the end of it.”
All of the funds raised will go towards the Western Chances scholarship program, which Mr Tran said will fund 70 or more scholarships, as one scholarship is usually worth $1000.
“Seventy thousand dollars is equivalent to supporting three classrooms of talented and motivated young people with scholarships,” he said.
“Everyone who participated on the trek developed a lifetime bond with Western Chances, the alumni who participated were the stars of the show.”
Across the three-day trek, six teams of 20 people in total and five alumni contributed to raising $10,000 for the cause.
Sponsored by Multiplex, the other teams were Pan Pacific hotels, legal firm Maurice Blackburn, Melbourne Airport and Victoria University.
The Western Chances alumni invited were Sadiya Tabassum, Jemmah Nix, Archie Dinh, Katharine Nikolic, plus a Pan Pacific member.
“The alumni got along well with the teams and had the chance to share their stories,” he said.
“They also displayed great resilience and courage to act as proud ambassadors of Western Chances.”
One of the alumni, Ms Tabassum, led the trek on day two and three and said, “Thank you for the amazing experience, taking back the strength I didn’t know I had.
“Such great work Western Chances is doing, always ready to help young people. Thank you for the opportunity.”
The fundraiser will close on Friday, April 26.
Details: western-chances.grassrootz.com/westernchances-3peaks-2024?tab=donations
