General News
20 November, 2025
Fundraiser smashes target
JOHAN Dunn has raised $9504 after running ten half-marathons in ten days to support Australians experiencing homelessness.
As Western District Newspapers reported in September, Mr Dunn made the commitment to run the marathons as part of Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge.
The challenge is a national fundraiser between October 20-29 which encourages people to commit to an activity which pushes them outside their comfort zone while supporting charity.
Mr Dunn said he was overwhelmed with the support, which included friends, family, local businesses, complete strangers and even a $1000 donation from the challenge founder himself, Nedd Brockmann.
“I’m absolutely pumped,” he said.
“The end result is beyond what I expected so it’s just awesome.
“It is overwhelming to have the support of so many people around me.
“They see it is such a worthy cause so they want to get behind me and help jab me along when I was sore with a lot of running left to do.”
Mr Dunn spent his ten days completing half-marathons across Victoria, from Melbourne and Bendigo to running between Terang and Camperdown.
“I found it was more a mental game in the end – I tried to break it down by kilometres instead of looking at it as a big picture thinking about having ten or 15 kilometres to go,” he said.
“It was nice to lean into being uncomfortable because we always stumble across tough times in life.
“Being able to become a bit more resilient for when those tough times arise, so you can take more in your stride, matters.
“We see people who are having tough times and can sympathise with them.”
Mr Dunn said the support of those around him had provided a source of motivation as the challenge progressed, along with keeping in mind what the funds would be used for.
“The challenge has people raising money for We Are Mobilise, which directs funds to charity partners supporting those who are experiencing homelessness in Australia,” he said.
“The first few days felt pretty good and the body was holding up alright but it takes a toll mid-way.
“Seeing the donations come in every day really helped – I would get an email or notification saying someone had donated $50 or $100 and it would give me a little pep up.
“It was amazing.”
Mr Dunn said being part of a national cause which saw so many pushing themselves for a good cause was a rewarding experience.
He encouraged others to be willing to put their hand up next year to put themselves out of their comfort zone.
“There was around 1600 people around Australia who were doing the same challenges,” Mr Dunn said.
“Some were doing full marathons or cold plunges, everyone doing their own version of the challenge but the whole lot of us raised more than $1.5 million in the end.
“It’s just unreal.”
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