Rochy Runners Kody Lees, Mattia Curry and Jordy Bruton during their challenge. Photo: Supplied.
After months of training, 2.30am alarms and endless kilometres, the Rochy Runners wrapped up their ‘uncomfortable challenge’ on Wednesday, October 29.
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The group contributed $7770 for Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge, an event that saw Australians nationwide step outside their comfort zones for 10 days.
All funds raised through the challenge will be donated to ‘We Are Mobilise’, a charity dedicated to tackling homelessness.
The Rochy Runners — Jordy Bruton, Mattia Curry and Kody Lees — pushed their limits by running 21km a day for 10 days, setting their alarms for 2.30am daily so they could begin their runs by 3.30am.
They would then return home about 5.30am to get ready to go to work, despite feeling exhausted.
Mr Bruton said the the cause they were supporting kept them motivated during the challenge.
“Every day we thought that we didn’t want to get up the next day and do it, but we knew that what we were doing was much bigger than just waking up the next day,” he said.
“The movement that Nedd has ... and what we’re supporting and trying to raise money for was way bigger than us having to wake up the next morning and go to work.
“We always knew that there was nothing for us to really complain about — all we’ve got to do is just get out the door and do it.”
In the lead-up to the 10-day challenge, the runners approached Sportspower owner Chanal Hartshortne for help with the process of getting sponsors.
With Mrs Hartshorne’s help, the team was able to rally support from the community, with other sponsors such as Northern Agriculture, Rochester Mitre 10, Rich River Farm Fencing and AOC Built jumping on board.
While many supported the group through donations, a large portion of the money was raised through the sale of ‘Rochy Runners’ shirts they had designed.
Mrs Hartshorne said she was more than happy to help the Rochy Runners out.
“We just like to help. They’re really good kids and the running that they’re doing is insane,” she said.
“We just wanted to make sure that people got behind them and actually gave them some time a day.”
Mr Bruton added that the support from their families and community was incredible.
“We were very happy to be able to (finish) and to follow through on the promise that we made to everyone. It’s a pretty good achievement to be able to look back at,” he said.
“We knew that family was always going to support us, but knowing that the whole town got around what we were doing and was supporting us — it was a pretty amazing feeling.”
Around Australia, participants in the challenge collectively raised over $1.5 million for ‘We are Mobilise’.
Students from Rochester Primary School, Rochester Secondary School and Nanneella Estate Primary School were excited to meet Nedd Brockmann and the Rochy Runners.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
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