Caloundra resident Keven Jones and his team from the Maroochydore Defence Force Recruiting Centre are set to participate in The Kokoda Challenge, a gruelling endurance event that honours the sacrifices of Australian soldiers during the 1942 Kokoda Campaign in Papua New Guinea. The event, which takes place on ANZAC Day weekend, aims to raise funds for local youth programs that change the lives of young people in the Sunshine Coast community.
Keven, a Warrant Officer Class Two who has served in the army since he was 17 years old, has a personal connection to the Kokoda Campaign, having been born in Port Moresby in 1975, the year that Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia. His grandfather also served in the army during WWII and helped Australian soldiers during the campaign.
The Maroochydore Defence Force teams are participating in The Kokoda Challenge to pay their respects to the fallen Diggers and to support local youth programs in the Sunshine Coast community. The funds raised from the event will go towards the Kokoda Youth Foundation’s Digital Detox Youth Program, which helps mentor kids in the local community who are struggling with digital dependency.
According to Keven, “Our team is honoured to participate in The Kokoda Challenge and support a great cause. We hope to inspire others to push their limits and overcome challenges, just like the Diggers did during the Kokoda Campaign.”
The Kokoda Youth Foundation was founded by Vietnam Veteran Doug Henderson, who is proud to see many current servicemen and women like Keven take part in the annual event. “Our actively serving and ex-military teams embody the spirit of our Aussie heroes by promoting the timeless values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Sacrifice. It’s a testament to the resilience of our soldiers and an opportunity for us to honour their sacrifices and carry on their legacy.” he said.
The Kokoda Challenge will take place on Saturday, April 22nd, and teams of 2-5 people can choose to hike or trail run the 18km, 30km or 48km trails within the 22-hour time limit. Registrations are open until Friday, April 7th, unless sold out prior, and teams can sign up at KokodaChallenge.com.
