24 Hours. One Hill. Zero Surrender.
On 19–20 September 2026, Far North Queensland will come together for something much bigger than a fitness challenge.
From 8:00am Saturday to 8:00am Sunday, participants will take on Castle Hill for 24 continuous hours as part of the inaugural Wounded Heroes 24 Hour Challenge, raising vital funds to support current serving ADF members, veterans, and their families facing crisis across the region.
The event is expected to bring together Defence personnel, veterans, families, businesses, schools, sporting clubs, community groups, and supporters from across FNQ for a full day and night of endurance, mateship, community spirit, and fundraising.
At its core, however, the challenge is about something much more important.
It is about ensuring support is available when local Defence families need it most.
Registrations are now open at www.24hourchallenge.com.au/signup, with individuals, teams, businesses, schools, sporting clubs, and community groups all encouraged to get involved.
Why This Event Matters
Far North Queensland is home to one of Australia's strongest Defence communities.
Thousands of current serving ADF members, veterans, spouses, and children call the region home. They serve our country, contribute to our communities, volunteer in local organisations, coach sporting teams, and help make FNQ the place it is today.
Yet despite that contribution, many Defence families still face significant challenges.
For some, it is a temporary financial setback caused by unexpected circumstances. For others, it may be relationship breakdown, domestic and family violence, housing insecurity, or a period of unemployment. Sometimes it is simply the result of life happening all at once.
When crisis strikes, families often need help immediately.
Not next week.
Not after paperwork is processed.
Not after referrals are made.
Immediately.
That is where Wounded Heroes Australia steps in.
Wounded Heroes Australia operates a national 24/7 crisis response service providing immediate practical assistance to current serving ADF members, veterans, and their families. Support can include emergency accommodation, food assistance, fuel vouchers, relocation support, and other urgent needs designed to stabilise families during difficult times.
Unlike many services that focus primarily on long-term wellbeing programs, Wounded Heroes Australia fills the critical gap between crisis and recovery.
You can learn more about Wounded Heroes Australia's services, community programs, and national impact at www.woundedheroes.org.au.
The Growing Need Across FNQ
The reality is that demand for crisis support continues to grow.
Over recent years, Wounded Heroes Australia has seen a significant increase in requests for assistance from current serving members, veterans, and families across the country. That growth is also being experienced throughout FNQ.
To meet current demand, Wounded Heroes Australia is forecasting approximately $300,000 per year in crisis support expenditure across Far North Queensland alone.
That equates to approximately $25,000 every month being invested back into local Defence families facing hardship.
Each month, that support includes approximately:
-
$14,170 directed towards homelessness prevention and emergency accommodation
-
$6,670 directed towards domestic and family violence support
-
$4,160 directed towards food and fuel assistance
These are not abstract numbers.
These are real families needing somewhere safe to sleep.
Real parents trying to put food on the table.
Real veterans attempting to rebuild stability during difficult circumstances.
The Wounded Heroes 24 Hour Challenge was created to help meet this growing need. Every dollar raised through the event stays local and supports Defence families across FNQ.
If you would like to learn more about the impact of the challenge and where funds are invested, visit www.24hourchallenge.com.au/impact.
Those wishing to immediately support local Defence families can also make a donation through www.24hourchallenge.com.au/donate.
A Community Challenge for Everyone
One of the unique aspects of the Wounded Heroes 24 Hour Challenge is that it has been designed so anyone can participate.
You do not need to be an elite athlete.
You do not need to complete a marathon.
You do not even need to stay for the entire 24 hours.
The challenge is simple.
Participants walk or run Castle Hill Road throughout the event while raising funds through personalised fundraising pages.
Some participants may choose to complete a single climb.
Others may aim for multiple climbs throughout the day.
Some teams may choose to operate in shifts and keep someone on the hill throughout the entire challenge.
The goal is not to see who can go the furthest.
The goal is to bring people together behind a common cause.
Participants can register as:
-
Individuals
-
Teams
-
Businesses
-
Defence Units
-
Schools
-
Sporting Clubs
-
Community Organisations
Every participant receives an official event shirt and exclusive challenge coin, while also gaining access to fundraising tools and resources to help maximise their impact.
The challenge has been designed to be accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you are looking for a personal challenge or simply want to support a worthy cause, there is a place for you.
For a full breakdown of registration, fundraising, participant inclusions, and event information, visit www.24hourchallenge.com.au/about.
More Than Just a Fundraiser
While the challenge itself sits at the centre of the event, the experience extends far beyond walking up and down Castle Hill.
Throughout the 24 hours, participants and spectators will be able to enjoy a vibrant event atmosphere designed to celebrate community involvement and support local Defence families.
The event village will feature:
-
Food trucks
-
Coffee vendors
-
Live entertainment
-
Community displays
-
Sponsor activations
-
Merchandise stalls
-
Fundraising activities
-
Family-friendly experiences
The summit precinct will become the heart of the event, bringing together participants, volunteers, sponsors, Defence personnel, veterans, and community members in one location.
Participants will also have access to water stations, first aid services, security personnel, volunteer marshals, recovery areas, a sleep zone, and golf buggy assistance where required.
Additional information about the event, participation options, and fundraising resources can be found at www.24hourchallenge.com.au, with detailed event information available through www.24hourchallenge.com.au/about.
Businesses, Schools and Community Groups Have a Vital Role to Play
The success of the Wounded Heroes 24 Hour Challenge will rely on community involvement.
That is why businesses, schools, sporting clubs, Defence units, and community organisations are being encouraged to get involved early.
For workplaces, the event provides a unique opportunity to build team culture while supporting a meaningful local cause.
For schools, it offers students the opportunity to learn about service, resilience, and community contribution.
For sporting clubs, it provides another way to unite members behind a cause that directly benefits local families.
For Defence units, it is an opportunity to strengthen the connection between serving members, veterans, and the broader community.
Participants will compete on fundraising leaderboards throughout the campaign, creating friendly competition while helping maximise support for local Defence families.
Organisations can register a team, create a workplace fundraising page, challenge another organisation, or encourage staff and members to participate.
Registration is now open at www.24hourchallenge.com.au/signup.
Community Supporting Community
One of the defining characteristics of FNQ is the strength of its community.
When people need help, the community steps up.
When families face hardship, the community rallies around them.
The Wounded Heroes 24 Hour Challenge has been created to showcase that spirit.
This is not simply a fundraising event.
It is a visible demonstration that the people of FNQ stand behind those who have served our country and the families who support them.
It is an opportunity for businesses to give back.
It is an opportunity for schools and sporting clubs to get involved.
It is an opportunity for families to spend time together while supporting an important cause.
And it is an opportunity for the wider community to ensure no Defence family faces crisis alone.
To better understand the local impact this event will have, visit www.24hourchallenge.com.au/impact.
Join the Challenge
Whether you want to challenge yourself, support a mate, honour someone who has served, build team culture within your workplace, or simply give back to the Defence community, there is a place for you in the Wounded Heroes 24 Hour Challenge.
Every climb helps raise vital funds.
Every participant helps grow community awareness.
Every donation helps ensure support is available when local Defence families need it most.
Ready to take part? Register today at www.24hourchallenge.com.au/signup.
Not able to participate but still want to help? You can support local Defence families by donating at www.24hourchallenge.com.au/donate.
To learn more about the work being done every day to support current serving ADF members, veterans, and families across Australia, visit www.woundedheroes.org.au.
Together, we can ensure support is available when it matters most.
