GHFC leads national fundraising effort for homelessness charity

Gunnedah Health & Fitness Co (GHFC) has put the local community on the national leaderboard, raising more than $10,000 for Australians experiencing homelessness through Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge.

GHFC topped the leaderboard for the highest fundraising by an Australian run club in the Australia-wide Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge (NUC), collecting an impressive $10,207 for charity We Are Mobilise.

Held from 19 to 28 October, the challenge encouraged participants to choose something uncomfortable to do every day for 10 days, seek sponsorship and raise funds to support Australians experiencing homelessness.

GHFC members embraced the initiative in a variety of ways, with the gym bringing the community together for a major finale at Wolseley Oval last Wednesday night.

Close to 100 participants took part in the communal lapathon, with Jimmy Grant leading the way by running an incredible 30km around the oval in three hours.

More than five participants completed a half marathon during the finale, including GHFC owner Maryanne Perkins, who said she was immensely proud of the community’s efforts.

“I’m just so proud of my community and Team GHFC,” she said.

Female youth winner Hannah Neale, 13, who ran 5km a day for the 10 days and 10km at the finale with gym owner and NUC champion Maryanne Perkins. Perkins ran 50km, did 500 burpees and 500 wall balls during the 10 days and did a half marathon at the finale.

“It’s so important for a small town to contribute to the wider Australian community and know that we are having an impact for those that lack the basic human needs of shelter, food and water.”

The 10-day effort produced some remarkable numbers, with participants collectively running 1891km – equivalent to travelling from Gunnedah to Far North Queensland – and walking another 70km.

They also completed 4430 burpees, more than 2000 wall balls, more than 8000 push-ups and over 1.5 hours of planking, alongside a range of other individual challenges.

The funds raised will support We Are Mobilise, a national charity that works with more than 50 homelessness charity partners to provide safe housing and support to Australians in need.

Rather than duplicating existing services, the organisation works alongside established charities and case workers to direct financial assistance to people when they need it most.

Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge was established by 2026 Young Australian of the Year Nedd Brockmann, encouraging Australians to step outside their comfort zones while raising money for a meaningful cause.

Now in its third year, the national initiative is built around the idea of getting uncomfortable and doing it for good, with participants discovering what they are capable of while supporting people experiencing homelessness.

GHFC thanked everyone who took on a challenge, donated, attended the finale or cheered participants on from afar.

“You made this one special,” Perkins said.