Challenge yourself
like never before.
28 April - 8 May 2016
History
The Youngcare Simpson Desert Challenge,
previously held in 2011, 2013 and 2015,
has seen 53 trekkers walk through the
geographical centre of the Simpson Desert.
These stoic Youngcare supporters traversed
the harsh environment to shed a bright light
on the lack of care and housing options
available to young Australians with high care
needs.
After four months of intensive training,
the trekkers walked approximately 250km
through the Desert to gain a greater
understanding of the isolation and hardships
faced by young Australians who have no
other choice but to live in aged care.
Collectively, these trekkers have raised more
than $2.1million for Youngcare – and now
it’s your chance to make a profound
impact on the lives of young
Australians in desperate need.
This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on the Simpson Desert and
change the lives of young Aussies in desperate need!
Right now, over 7,000 young Australians are living in aged care
because there are few other options for them to receive dignified,
relevant and age-appropriate care and housing, this is an issue that
has gone unaddressed for far too long. It’s un-Australian and it’s
simply not right.
This is your chance to be a part of the solution
as Youngcare look to raise $700,000 from the
2016 Simpson Desert Challenge.
We want you to spend eight days walking approximately 250km
across the Simpson Desert to raise $35,000. You will experience what
life might be like for a young person living in aged care – not a “life”,
but an existence comprised of isolation, uniformity, restrictions and
little decision-making ability.
The Youngcare Simpson Desert Challenge 2016 will be a daily mental
and physical battle, but it is one that will have a profound impact on
your life and the lives of thousands of young Australians in desperate
need.
The Location
“The Desert is an incredibly beautiful place,
the sunrises and sunsets are amazing.”
Samantha Kennerley
Youngcare CEO – 2015 Trekker
The Simpson Desert is smack bang in the
middle of Australia, a vast, rugged
landscape with harsh weather and an
endless horizon.
It spans the corner of three Australian
states: the Northern Territory, Queensland
and South Australia. Known as Arunta
to the local aboriginal people, it is over
460,000 acres in size (making it the fourth
largest desert in Australia).
Normally a 4WD destination, the surface
of the desert is mostly wind packed sand,
and the slopes of the dunes are lightly
vegetated. The top of each dune is usually
windblown sand that is soft underfoot.
Your itinerary
Thursday, 28 April 2016: Depart your home town to arrive in Birdsville and transfer to Poepells Corner
Friday, 29 April 2016: Depart Poepells Corner towards the geographic centre of the Simpson Desert
Saturday, 7 May 2016: Approach the eastern edge of the Desert and then transfer to Birdsville to celebrate your accomplishment
Sunday, 8 May 2016: Depart Birdsville after an overnight stay at the Birdsville Hotel and return to your home town
“The least I could do is, instead of just
getting my company to pay some money,
is to get out there and actually do
something to show what it means to care
for your fellow human beings.”
Dan Wilkinson
Suncorp Insurance – 2015 Trekker
The Fine Print
“The mateship along the way is
fantastic; I now have 16 new mates.”
Scott Younes
Suncorp Insurance – 2015 Trekker
You will:
• climb more than 1,000 sand dunes over approximately 250km carrying a
10kg backpack
• cross to the geographical centre of the Simpson Desert, which spans three
Australian States: the Northern Territory, Queensland, and South Australia
• spend eight full days and nights in the Desert, exposed to the elements
• carry your own food and water
• have your supplies replenished every 24 hours via ground support; and
• have no access to toilets, showers, beds or any other luxury.
This is an extreme challenge – as life is for a young person in aged care.
Your Leaders
You will be led by a team of professionals including
experienced former trekkers, and a fully qualified Doctor
and Nurse. The ground support crew includes a local
ranger and a helicopter with two pilots on standby.
“The support crew are amazing, they’d
do anything to look after you.”
Sherrin Foley
2015 Trekker
How To Prepare
There will be a 15 week training program to prepare you both
physically and mentally to take on the Desert – something that young
people with high care needs are not afforded before they move into
aged care.
To assist you in your fundraising efforts, Youngcare will provide oneon-one support so you are able to achieve your fundraising target
of $35,000.
Fundraising & Tax Deductibility
To be eligible to complete the Youngcare Simpson Desert Challenge
2015, trekkers must raise $35,000 to help provide more choice in
care and housing for young Australians with full-time care needs.
A deposit of $10,000 is due by 30 November 2015, and following
this, you will need to reach your minimum fundraising target of
$35,000 one month prior to departing for the Desert to secure your
place. The total amount is comprised of a $25,000 donation to
Youngcare and $10,000 in costs, including:
• 15 week pre-Challenge training program
(beginning 16 weeks prior to the trek)
• Experienced leaders, doctor and nurse on the trek
• Flights and ground transfers
• One night’s accommodation at Birdsville Hotel
• All meals on the trek
• Official training and trekking shirts
• Personal travel insurance
Youngcare is a nationally registered charity and holds
Deductible Gift Recipient status as endorsed by the Australian
Taxation Office. Tax deductibility is available on the full amount
of $35,000*.
* Except where the participant makes a personal contribution.
Please note this amount does not include personal trekking gear,
expenses, or other costs at the Birdsville Hotel.
How Your Work Will Help
“I’m a big supporter of Youngcare because I’m a big believer
of treating people as you would like to be treated.”
Andrew Bottomley
The Landscape Construction Company – 2015 Trekker
Right now, 7,000 young Australians are living in aged care because there are
no other options. Over 700,000 more are being cared for at home and face
enormous financial, emotional and physical struggles.
The Australian health care system is broken and young Aussies living with
significant disabilities are some of the most marginalised within our society.
But Youngcare has shone a bright light on the lack of care and housing options
available, and with your help, this is an issue that IS solvable. And in YOUR
lifetime.
By taking on the Youngcare Simpson Desert Challenge 2016, you are helping
Youngcare to:
• Build more relevant and age-appropriate housing – in Sydney and Brisbane
• Provide information and support via our Youngcare Connect service
• Provide grants to keep young people at home who are at high risk of entering
aged care, so they can stay in the care of their loved ones, or transition from
aged care to their home or more appropriate accommodation
• Undertake world first research to better understand the needs and wants
of young Aussies with high care needs.
“The experience as a whole has been one of the best
of my life. If you have ever thought that you might
like to do it – then just do it!”
Where do you sign?
For more information on how to become a part of this once in a lifetime challenge,
please contact Youngcare’s Events Executive
Michelle Davie on 07 3041 3400
or email [email protected]
You might be thinking “I’m not crazy enough to do this, but I know someone who is!”
If this is the case, please pass on their details to Michelle, or ask them to get in touch
with us.
www.youngcare.com.au/simpsondesert
Sonia Giusto
NAB – 2015 Trekker