Young people living with mental ill-health will benefit from an incredible $319,000+ raised through this year’s Burpee Bounce Back Challenge.
From 11-17 October, 2,682 burpee-ers sweated it out to complete more than 1.2 million burpees as part of Orygen’s unique fundraising initiative.
Challengers tackled a target of 1534 burpees over 17 days in recognition of the 1534 under-17s diagnosed with a mental illness in Australia every day.
Burpee-ers included stars of the stage and sporting world, including MC and entertainer Brihony Dawson and Richmond Football Club coach Damien Hardwick. Geelong-based mental health literacy program Read the Play supported the challenge as a team.
Orygen executive director Professor Patrick McGorry thanked this year’s fundraisers for all their efforts in helping young people bounce back from mental ill-health.
“I am blown away by the generosity of time, spirit and donations displayed throughout the challenge, and I’d like to thank every single person who took part or sponsored an individual or team,” he said.
“Rest assured that your hard-earned money and burpees will go towards helping care for young people with mental ill-health. Young Australians have done it especially tough through the COVID-19 pandemic and every cent raised is much-needed to provide the care and support they deserve.”
The Burpee Bounce Back Challenge will return in 2022.