Meet the 2023 Simpson Desert Trekkers

Casey McGrath

My wife was diagnosed with a brain tumour in December 2015 which has been an incredibly difficult journey. In the early days post open brain surgery I would wonder what the future held for Crystal. Would she be ok to live at home? If not, where would she go? Would she like it? What would her quality of life be? We were fortunate that Crystal has made somewhat of a full recovery, though the journey is not over. This experience really drew me to Youngcare. The work they do transforming the way young people with high physical support needs live is incredible.  

The days in the desert are going to be long and challenging, both mentally and physically. My motivation to keep going will be the thousands of young people living in inappropriate housing. While in the desert, I’ll be concentrating on the stars at night and the sunrise each morning and that thankfully, my pain and suffering will be short-lived. The biggest obstacle I’ll need to overcome in the desert is the separation from my 22-month-old daughter, Amelia. I hope when she is older, she is proud of what I am doing. 

A big thank you to my employer Data#3 who have been nothing short of incredible as I embark on this journey, as well as Hoppy’s Car Wash and CJD Equipment. Without the support of these companies, I wouldn’t have smashed my fundraising goals.  

Peter Murphy

I was inspired to take on the Simpson Desert Challenge after talking with Youngcare CEO, Greg Johnson about it and seeking an adventure for 2023. I also have a long history of involvement with Youngcare, having known its founders.

I am most looking forward to the serenity and solitude of the vastness of the desert. The biggest obstacle will be taking the time to enjoy the moment and the scenery when the going gets tough, as it no doubt will. 

I would like to thank each of my eight table captains at my fundraising dinner; Kelly Howard, Ed Phelan, Damian Wright, Kelvin Cotter, Luke Murphy, Dominic Murphy, Mark Harvey and Clinton Dines.

Paul Mochan

FKG are regular supporters of the Simpson Desert Challenge and I was inspired to take it on myself after hearing stories from previous FKG trekkers. I also have an ex-colleague who manages another charity that supports people with high physical support needs and I have seen what a difference it makes to their lives. Youngcare is an incredible charity and I want to increase awareness of its mission during my fundraising journey.

I am most looking forward to the stars at night. Apparently, you can see satellites in the sky and shooting stars!  I’m also really looking forward to sunrise and sunset– should be awesome views! My biggest obstacle will be having no communication with the world– family and football will be missed… but my emails will not. 

I’d like to thank my main sponsors; Universal Civil Contracting, Tierney Crushing and Transport, Monster Hire, Everest Civil, and my fundraising team at FKG, particularly Jodi Daniels, Brenda Topfer, Brock Garrick and Sarah Whitbourne for helping organise the FKG fundraising golf day in Toowoomba. 

I’d also like to thank my wonderful wife, Bianca, and my kids, for their support during training and early morning starts. 

Katherine Ure

Knowing families who have loved ones with high care needs, the Youngcare cause strikes a personal chord for me.  While I’ll no doubt miss my young family and creature comforts while I’m slogging it out in the desert, I know that every little bit I can do to raise awareness and support for the families Youngcare helps is absolutely worth it.   

Thanks to all of my supporters, and especially to my key sponsors; Balanz, Oscars Hotel Group, and Australian Show Ribbons. 

Tony Keane

It only takes a visit to a Youngcare home to be inspired and to understand the profoundly important impact that Youngcare is having on young people in facilitating their own home and a sense of independence. Having seen a young person live for many years in a nursing home, I know that is not the answer, so participating and raising money through the Simpson Desert Challenge is a way that I can contribute to better lives for others. 

I’m most looking forward to contributing to the teamwork and camaraderie among the group as we tackle the elements and the challenges of the walk and support each other. As for the main obstacles; sand, hills, and flies! 

I have been greatly humbled and inspired by the support I have received from such a wide circle of business colleagues, friends and family. I will proudly wear logos from three great supporters on my Youngcare walking shirt; National Storage, BMD Group and Simon George & Sons. I will also long remember the generosity of every contributor who has answered my call and supported me in any way.

Brent Doyle

Taking on the Simpson Desert Challenge is my opportunity to give back and what a way to do it– supporting Youngcare.  

I’m most looking forward to the beer and the shower at the Birdsville Hotel…. and the stars! My main obstacle will be losing toenails… I’m down one from training at Straddie!  

I’d like to thank; number one, my family for supporting me throughout the fundraising journey and the trek, Nic, my training buddy, Myles and my De Luca family, and Brisbane Real Estate, and River City Solar and Electrical, who are my major shirt sponsors. 

Vikki Spencer

I’ve been in Australia and working at Tradelink for 3 years. I came from NZ, where there is a similar situation with virtually no options for young people with physical disabilities to live with independence and dignity. Personally, in my family, we have Thomas, pictured here with family including parents Mark and Margo. The only option we have for Thomas is for him to live at home. This is increasingly difficult when the home needs significant modifications and the family struggle financially with the lack of support.  I’ve seen the impact this has on the family.

The work Youngcare does has a huge positive ripple effect on both families and the broader community.  There are so many gaps in the level of support provided for the vulnerable groups who are unable to advocate for themselves.  I’m proud to play a small part in the amazing work Youngcare does and hope to raise both awareness and funds.

There’s a journey we’ll go on in the Simpson Desert walk, where our sense of freedom and choice will be restricted.  The training itself is giving some indications of this already!  A huge thanks to all our supporters who are generous with their donations.

Greg Johnson

Having seen the impact the SDC has on the mission of Youngcare, it was an easy decision to take part in the trek. Knowing that the trekkers are volunteering their time, firstly to raise huge sums, and then to willingly experience a lot of real pain and discomfort, is quite simply inspiring. They don’t have to do this… but they choose to.   

I am most looking forward to the stars at night, the quiet, the physical challenge and finishing in Birdsville as we started– a team. The biggest obstacle will be drinking instant coffee. Yep, I am a coffee snob.  

I would like to thank every single sponsor and donor and of course, friends and family. My personal sponsors include MJ Bale, Choices & Rights and Hertz!

Myles Tredinnick

I am fortunate enough to have been exposed to previous Youngcare events and have seen how amazing the cause is. It has really inspired me to do my part in giving back to the community. Additionally, over the past four years, I have also been introduced to a family friend who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age. Throughout this time, I have been able to build a strong relationship with this individual and it has allowed me to understand the hardships that his family endures. This includes finding adequate housing within Australia, along with the commitment of full-time care, and the daily hurdles that not just he goes through, but also the family.  

I was also inspired to take on the Simpson Desert trek as a personal challenge, both physical and mental, and what better way to do it than raising funds for a great cause while exploring the Simpson Desert. 

I’m definitely looking forward to a beer at the Birdsville Hotel, but also just the whole experience, and I’m hoping I can sleep under the stars one night. 

I would like to thank my family and my girlfriend Katie for helping me plan and organise events and all the trekking gear, along with constantly talking about it. Thanks to Nic and the De Luca crew for the ongoing support and fundraising assistance, along with Brent as we are in this together. Thank you to all of my major sponsors; BMI, Lucas, CH4 Drilling, Downtown Toyota and Trilogy Care. 

Carolina Gadsby

As an employee of Youngcare, I feel an immense sense of pride in representing it in the Simpson Desert Challenge. Working with young Australians with physical disabilities and their families has been an eye-opening and humbling experience. Every day I feel incredibly lucky to meet and engage with these individuals and their families, who are always willing to share their stories with us and the public to create awareness of the issue.  

I’m really looking forward to nine days trekking through the Simpson Desert where I can disconnect from screens and enjoy the company of others and nature. What a great opportunity to challenge myself and reflect. 

Being a part of Youngcare has been a truly fulfilling experience and I’m proud to be part of a team that is making a difference in the lives of so many in need. 

Ben Mill

What inspired me to take on the Simpson Desert Challenge? I love helping others! I believe that just because someone may have a disability, why should they be treated any differently or why should their life be so different? If my tiny contribution, my tiny bit of hard work, my tiny amount of sacrifice is going to go towards putting a large smile on the face of a young person with high physical support needs, it’s just so powerful, rewarding and inspiring!  I am most looking forward to getting out to the desert and roughing it for nine days, removed from society with no phones or social media!

I am looking forward to working as a team and helping each other get through the daily grind. The hardest obstacle will be keeping the body healthy– food, water, sleep and the big fella upstairs (mentally). Keeping a positive mindset is going to be paramount. 

Firstly, I would like to thank EVERYONE who has donated to me, whether you donated $5 or $1000, I am so grateful from the bottom of my heart… it means the world to me! Secondly, my family and friends– your support and words of encouragement are what have helped me along the journey, so thank you very much!  

Ella Boyd

In May of 2020 I was involved in a car accident as a pedestrian. As a result, I have a chronic illness for which there is no cure (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome). I have spent the past three years being treated by a multi-disciplinary team and had several hospital admissions to treat this condition. I have become acutely aware that long-term care options for young people with illnesses or disabilities are extremely limited. I decided on this trek because it raises funds and awareness to support young people in the community with high physical support needs. I also want to give myself a physical challenge.  

I am most looking forward to the amazing scenery and the challenge of walking 225km. I think the biggest challenge for me will be the heat, and no access to showers or toilets.  

I’d like to thank Mike Urbanowicz from Invicta Consulting Services, Barco Custom Joinery, Burke Industries, Kash Konditioning and the Coonan family for their generous donations, Matt Warner from Obadare for giving me the opportunity to fundraise at the Toowoomba Oil Patch Golf Carnival and to Ashtabula, World Gym Toowoomba, Pizza Capers Toowoomba City, Ella Bâche Toowoomba and Nutrition Warehouse Toowoomba for their generous donations of raffle prizes. I’d also like to thank all of my family and friends who have donated. 

Vlado Adzaip

Having worked in the personal insurance industry for over ten years, I’ve come to deeply understand and appreciate the importance of freedom– freedom to live your life the way you see fit. A disability can swiftly and drastically strip anyone of this freedom we all often take for granted. 

Through my employer, Suncorp, I’ve seen firsthand the invaluable support Youngcare provides to young people requiring high physical supports who find themselves in need. The Simpson Desert Challenge is an event which will aim to put me in the shoes of those living with needs I cannot begin to imagine. It may be painful and uncomfortable, but having the ability to choose to do it is a freedom many young people are not offered.  

I think the biggest challenge of the trek for me will be being stripped (nearly) naked of all technological and other support I use daily to lead my life, then thrown onto a desert to walk for what will feel like an eternity. These things may not sound fun to many, but they spark excitement in me. I’ve always enjoyed testing my limits and putting myself in positions I’ve never been in. The Simpson Desert Challenge will certainly test me in ways I’m sure I haven’t even considered yet.  

I would like to thank all the generous donors who have helped me raise invaluable funds for Youngcare and the people they support. 

Specifically, I would like to thank Moray & Agnew Lawyers, Jensen McConaghy Lawyers, IPAR, mlcoa, O’Brien, Suncorp and AAMI.  

Marianne McCarthy

I became interested in The Simpson Desert Trek after seeing a documentary on My Way, although I have followed friends over the years who have helped out and shared heaps about it on social media. I’ve always enjoyed helping out where I can, and I was finally in a position to be able to take on the challenge. 

I am most looking forward to the sunrises; I have no doubt they’ll be spectacular. I am worried about blisters and losing toenails but overall, I am looking forward to the challenge of being taken completely out of my comfort zone. 

When I started this journey, I underestimated how hard the fundraising aspect of this challenge would be, but I cannot thank the Thargomindah community enough for the support and help I’ve received so far. 

A massive thanks to all my sponsors, especially Gibson Grazing. Without my family’s love and support, I’m not sure I could do it. 

Mel Brown