At the end of February, 26 recruits representing a broad cross-section of the local community will endure a 30-hour special forces challenge raising funds to support the Terry Campese Foundation’s (TCF) program supporting disadvantaged youth.

The recruits are currently working hard to prepare themselves for the challenge, undergoing a rigorous training regime that includes three group sessions a week at CrossFit SFS in Hume, along with team hikes and plenty of extras.

A busy, competitive yet friendly group chat keeps everyone motivated with their fitness and fundraising.

“They’ve been training together; we’ve got a group chat that just goes mad; these guys didn’t know each other before and they’re all getting on there,” TCF founder Campese told Canberra Daily, “it’s great to see.”

Having done his share of military-style camps during his illustrious career with the Canberra Raiders, Mr Campese said the recruits should “expect the unexpected”.

“30 hours isn’t a huge amount of time, but it’s enough to get you in a huge amount of pain, both physically and mentally,” he said.

Already well on their way toward the fundraising target of $120,000 to support the TCF’s Mentor Program for disadvantaged youth, Mr Campese is hopeful the recruits will benefit too.

“Some of them are changing their lifestyles around, coming to the gym more regularly and feeling better.

“You grow as a person, you learn so much about yourself, and teamwork; it’s imperative in every industry and business.”

‘I know what it’s like to be in that situation’

Three of the recruits, Lizzy Massey, Aaron Hazelton, and Raider Nick, all felt compelled to enlist for the noble cause of supporting disadvantaged youth.

“As parents, the whole goal is to provide for your child, and there’s this wave of sadness and melancholy when you think of the youth out there that don’t have what we provide for our children,” Raider Nick said. “That’s the motivation.”

For Ms Massey, she grew up as a disadvantaged child herself and understands the cause intimately.

“I was actually one of those children. I grew up in a disadvantaged household, I left home when I was really young and lived on the streets for a while, so I know what it’s like to be in that situation,” she said.

“Now that I’ve come out on the other side, I want to support these kids.

“I know for a fact that if you don’t have people to support you, you can very easily go the other way, and I was very lucky to have that support.”

Mr Hazelton said the challenge itself and the community-building that comes with it is analogous to what the TCF Mentor Program accomplishes.

“Yes, we’re pushing ourselves through it, but it’s just a bit of discomfort compared to what these kids go through,” he said.

“The whole thing of being around each other and building a community is what Terry is trying to do for these kids; mentoring, guidance and community influence for the greater good.”

Larapinta Trek ‘very special to be a part of’

Mr Campese was first inspired to set up his foundation after seeing the impact of the hospital and school visits he would do while at the Canberra Raiders.

“I absolutely loved it,” he said, “I just loved putting a smile on someone’s face. It just turns whatever you’re going though in your life around.”

In 2012 he set about starting the foundation with the help of local philanthropist Pamela Slocum OAM.

“I was going through a few injuries, so I had a lot of time on my hands,” he said.

Initially raising money for Canteen Cancer with one golf day a year, they have since focused their efforts on helping disadvantaged youth and organisations in the local region.

In 2017, Mr Campese got involved in a program that took a group of kids from a juvenile justice program on the Kokoda Trail.

“We funded the project, and from there I saw the difference it made in these kids’ lives,” he said. “None of them have been in trouble with the police since, which is amazing.”

With Kokoda off the cards due to travel restrictions, last year they took a group of kids from Braidwood and Goulburn on the Larapinta trail outside Alice Springs.

The 20-week TCF Mentor Program helps a small group of youth with weekly meetings and a few hikes locally to prepare before culminating in the epic 223km Larapinta Trail.

“There’s just something about being in nature, not having your phone, no devices, you’re just talking with peers and colleagues,” Mr Campese said.

“The conversations that come out, it just blows your mind … It’s pretty special to be a part of.”

Click here to donate and find out more about the Terry Campese Foundation Special Forces Challenge.

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