Twenty-five business leaders completed zero2hero’s five-day cape2cape trek for CEOs to raise funds for youth mental health.
Youth mental health charity zero2hero has raised more than $750,000 from its first cape2cape trek exclusively for business leaders in May.
The CEO Trek surpassed zero2hero’s former fundraising record achieved during the trek’s original format over the past six years.
Over five days, a group of 25 business leaders walked 135 kilometres from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste to raise awareness around youth mental health and raise funds for zero2hero’s schools programs and leadership camps.
A second cape2cape for business leaders has been scheduled for October following the success of the debut CEO Trek, with zero2hero chief executive Ashlee Harrison saying the results were unbelievable.
“This cape2cape CEO Trek has created more positivity and funds raised than we thought was possible,” Ms Harrison told Business News.
“I was already in awe of our trekkers’ leadership in business, but it was their love for life and giving back that has impressed me most.”
Ms Harrison said the idea for a CEO Trek came after CFC Group executive chairman Philip Cardaci and Thomas Building founder and director Alan Thomas had finished the cape2cape several years ago and suggested a version of the trek specifically for business leaders.
“They loved their experience and suggested we host the same event specifically for CEOs or managing directors but increase the fundraising commitment, with the philosophy centred around ‘work smarter not harder’ to support our youth mental health programs,” Ms Harrison said.
“The funds raised by our 2024 CEO Trekkers alone will enable us to impact the mental health of more than 7,000 young people across Western Australia.”
She said the cape2cape shared similarities with zero2hero’s flagship Camp Hero program.
“Both programs are across five days, set off-grid in nature, aiming to develop leadership skills and self-awareness in participants,” Ms Harrison said.
“[They] promote storytelling, challenge, connection and allow participants to connect with themselves in a way that is authentic and real.”
Grounded Logistics chief executive Paul Natoli raised more than $108,000 for youth mental health. Photo: Scott Bauer
Grounded Construction Group managing director Paul Natoli raised more than $108,000 and said he had personal reasons to partake in the CEO Trek.
“Suicide prevention and youth mental health are causes that hit close to home for me, especially as a parent of young children growing up in a vastly different world than the one I grew up in,” Mr Natoli said.
“On a personal level, I’ve tragically lost two dear friends to suicide, which has undoubtedly deepened my connection to the cause.
“With two young children under the age of ten, I felt a profound sense of obligation to contribute to this cause.
“It’s essential for me that they grow up understanding it’s acceptable to seek support and speak openly about their struggles.”
In conversation with Business News, Mr Natoli said mental health was a significant issue for young people and often extended into adulthood.
“Witnessing the struggles many young people face today deeply motivates me to do whatever I can to make their journey a little easier,” he said.
“As a parent, I feel compelled to lead by example and set a standard for supporting our children, providing them with the care and understanding we may not have received ourselves.”
In addition to raising funds and awareness for youth mental health, the cape2cape trek created an opportunity for business leaders to improve their own mental and physical health.
Ms Harrison said participants were able to unplug from work and other life responsibilities to reconnect with themselves and fellow trekkers.
“We often find trekkers return to work and home with newfound clarity and drive for what they do and how they do it. Or they discover their priorities in life may need readjusting … to improve their overall wellbeing,” she said.
“The trek also provides an opportunity for participants to connect with themselves in a way that is authentic and real, and in doing so we often find our trekkers leave with many new friends and business connections.”
Mr Natoli also mentioned igniting business connections with like-minded individuals as something the cape2cape helped facilitate.
“Embarking on the trek seemed like the ideal avenue, leveraging my business connections to maximise fundraising for the cause,” Mr Natoli said.
“Not only did I gain valuable insights from other like-minded CEOs, each with their own unique stories, but I also formed bonds I will cherish for years to come.”
When asked what he would say to anyone thinking about completing zero2hero’s cape2cape trek, Mr Natoli said, “Don’t think, just trek”.
“If you don’t already support this great cause, you should,” he said.
“The work that the zero2hero team is doing is truly remarkable, and it’s something I will continue to support year after year.
“I will also aim to endorse the cape2cape CEO Trek to other business owners around me.”
Mr Natoli said business leaders had a responsibility to elevate the importance of mental health in modern society.
“At Grounded, we are committed to establishing a tone and culture that resonates with all those we work with and aim to diminish the stigma surrounding mental health,” he said.
“Through our endeavours, we can inspire and empower others, including fellow CEOs, to prioritise education and awareness.”
Ms Harrison said zero2hero had set a target to reach 50,000 young people in 2024.
“To support this goal, we are hosting another two treks later this year – one for corporates and one for CEOs –The Heroes Lunch, which is our corporate fundraising lunch, and our sixth annual Red Cape Ball.”
