There are two big fundraising events happening in Perth this weekend - setting thrill-seekers up for challenges that not only push their boundaries and physical endurance but will ultimately raise vital funds for people in need in the WA community.
Digging deep for youth mental health
Benang Energy General Manager of Infrastructure, Goran Utjesinovic is, for the second year, supporting zero2hero with The Big Dig fundraising event, all in the name of supporting WA youth mental health.
The unique annual fundraising event, held over 24 hours this weekend from 12pm Saturday 26 October to 12pm Sunday 27 October at WA Limestone in Mandogalup, will see teams within WA’s construction industry go head-to-head and dig using just a shovel for 24 hours straight. The team who moves the most dirt in that time are crowned the winners of the pit.
This year’s dig has more than double the number of participants from the civil construction industry compared to the previous year, including CALROC, Benang, Brown Plumbing & Civil, Civil Contractors Federation, ECA WA, and DM Civil.
This event is not just a test of physical endurance but a unique team challenge that is connecting WA businesses and individuals together to make a meaningful impact. The participants have already raised more than $60,000 of the $100,000 target, with funds from the event going towards furthering zero2hero’s mental health young programs that aim to prevent suicide in WA.
Mr Utjesinovic, The Big Dig’s founder, said the idea behind creating event came from his passion of ensuring future generations entering the construction industry have the resilience to handle the workplace and tackle life.
He believes The Big Dig is a way of bringing attention to the importance of addressing mental health in the construction industry. “I believe we can help the next generation understand that with hard work, determination, and resilience, they can build their own paths to success and better support themselves.
zero2hero's fundraising supports youth mental health programs.
"Kids today face pressures from so many directions; school, social media, and future uncertainties – that’s why I see the work that zero2hero does as being so critical,” he said.
“I see this as an opportunity for education, involvement, and commitment in paving the way for everyone, making our kids more prepared for whatever challenges they may face in their journey.”
Partnerships manager at zero2hero, Oscar Warton, added: “zero2hero is so grateful that Goran has chosen to work alongside zero2hero to host the Big Dig for the second year running. The funds raised from this unique event will help us reach even more young people in WA to help them become mental health leaders in their community.”
In 2023, Mr Utjesinovic was joined by three teams who all took on the challenge of digging a one-metre-deep trench non-stop over a 24-hour period, raising a mammoth $98,000 for zero2hero.
For more information or to donate, visit The Big Dig fundraising page.
Perth charities take The Plunge
Thrill-seekers keen to make a difference are taking The Plunge in this year’s annual Central Park Plunge fundraiser, from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 October 2024.
Plungers will abseil 130 metres, or 33 floors, down Central Park Tower on St George’s Terrace in the CBD to raise funds for 12 of WA’s charities, including Anglicare WA, Variety WA, Activ Foundation, Fiona Wood Foundation, Guide Dogs WA, and JDRF.
The Central Park Plunge has raised more than $4.2 million over eight years, and this year has so far exceed its goal of raising $350,000, with more than $535,000 raised.
Plungers supporting Central Park Plunge, including Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson and 86-year-old Anglicare WA supporter Don Rock.
Anglicare WA is one of the leading fundraisers in this year's event, having raised $82,000 so far, with 49 participants taking part in the plunge for the charity. The funds raised will go towards Anglicare WA’s critical support services and advocacy for people struggling with poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, grief, mental wellness and other forms of crisis or trauma.
Don Rock, an 86-year-old doing his second plunge is a proud supporter of Anglicare WA for many years. “The fact that there are people experiencing homelessness and sleeping on the street motivates me. It shouldn’t be like that anywhere in the world,” he said. “I have always supported Anglicare WA over the years. I’m 86 now and that’s not going to change.”
86-year-old Don Rock is doing his second plunge as a proud supporter of Anglicare WA.
Last year, Anglicare WA reached 68,449 Western Australians. Of this number, the charity supported 41,953 Western Australians through 104 direct services across 75 locations.
“We cannot achieve this vision alone. By taking part in this year’s Central Park Plunge, you’ll contribute to funding vital programs that make a genuine difference in the lives of people in our community who need it the most,” Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson said.
“Together we can work towards a vision of a just and fair Western Australia where everyone can thrive.”
Activ Foundation – which supports more than 1,000 individuals and their families across WA with a focus on enabling and supporting people with disability in their transition towards independence – is also taking part in The Plunge and has so far raised more than $18,000.
For the first time in 2024, Variety WA will take part in The Plunge and is proud to have already raised $68,000, with a goal of $70,000 which would help up 98 children living with disability to access essential equipment to help them communicate, get mobile, learn, play and laugh.
Anglicare WA's CEO Mark Glasson taking the plunge last year.
Nothing could convince Variety WA CEO Chris Chatterton to take The Plunge this year: “I’m not afraid of much, but great heights are at the top of my list,” he admitted.
“I’d like to acknowledge the inimitable Romm Niblett, Variety WA’s Partnerships and Fundraising Manager who signed up to participate and take The Plunge on our behalf. He will be plunging with the awesome folks from Rumble Boxing in Subiaco.
“We have so many incredible teams supporting us this year and we are so grateful to everyone who is getting behind the Central Park Plunge for the best causes. A heartfelt thanks to you all,” he said.
Up All Night: March 2025
If you’ve missed out on this weekend’s challenges, it’s not too late to sign up for for Up All Night, Ronald McDonald House Charities WA’s annual fundraiser for WA’s families with sick children, on Saturday, 22 March 2025.
Up All Night will be held on Saturday, 22 March 2025.
Participants of Up All Night stay up all night and walk 42km together, starting after dark and finishing at dawn with thousands of other supporters, to help families with sick kids in WA.
“Up All Night pays homage to the sleepless nights, parents and carers experience when a child is ill or injured,” RMHC WA CEO Peter King said.
“By walking a night in their shoes, you play a critical role in ensuring that parents and carers have the support of Ronald McDonald House Charities WA to help alleviate the additional pressures they experience when a child is unwell.
Participants of Up All Night stay up all night and walk 42km together, starting after dark and finishing at dawn.
“Up All Night is a truly unique event experience. There is something very special about seeing the community come together, walking as one to support families who are going through some of the toughest of times,” he said.
Register now for Up All Night.
By Hearts and Minds
