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
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