During the early afternoon hours of Christmas Day in 2015 one of Marks great mates, Billy Peden, decided he wanted to make a difference! He called Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon that afternoon and the MHF Adventure Treks were born.
At the time, neither of them would have realised that this was the start of what would become an annual life changing event raising millions of dollars for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Since 2016, there have been eight adventure treks all around the world raising over $3.5 million so far to support brain cancer patients and their families.
One of the world’s great treks, the Kokoda Track links the south and north coast of Papua New Guinea across 96 kilometres of rugged mountain terrain, tropical rainforest and unspoiled villages. In March 2024, 23 amazing ladies set off on this once in a lifetime adventure to walk the Kokoda Track over 8 days retracing the footsteps of Australian history on this iconic pilgrimage for the 2nd MHF Ladies Trek.
As part of this bucket list adventure, the girls trekked the track by day, open to the harsh and inspiring beauty of Papua New Guinea’s tropical rainforest. At night, they stayed in secluded camps, sharing stories with local Koiari and Orokaiva people and listening to the nocturnal sounds of the jungle.
Over $425,000 was raised to continue the amazing work of our MHF nurses.
Thank you to our sponsors One Agency Lindy Harris, Evo Pro Haircare Group, HAIR TRUSS & Co, Fred Mayer Foundation, Quarry Mining & Construction Equipment Pty Ltd, Hargreaves Interior Design, CNW Electrical Wholesale and Oakdale Group, and everyone that donated and contributed to this trek.
A huge thanks also to our trek and travel partners Inspired Adventures, The Travel Space, our amazing guide Alan and all of the wonderful porters, cooks and historians which all made this trek one to remember forever.
Our 20 trekkers departed Sydney for Kathmandu on 14 October 2023 for what can only be described as an incredible, life changing 2 week adventure on the 7th MHF trek to Everest Base Camp Twin Peaks Summit.
The trek, led by Wild Spirit Adventures, began with a flight into Kathmandu’s dangerous, domestic airport Lukla, after sightseeing and bonding in Kathmandu. From there, the group began their journey up the mountain – through small villages & suspension bridges, snowcapped mountain valleys & sherpa settlements. They mixed with the locals and handed out MHF beanies, and came across travellers from all over the globe spreading the word of MHF.
The days were long and the challenge was tough – much tougher than most anticipated. As the altitude and the cold set in, this group battled -20 degrees at over 5000 metres above sea level for days as they were tested both physically and mentally.
But this group was special, and they all had their personal reasons for being there and connections to MHF and brain cancer. They were driven and motivated to back up day after day, for 9 days straight, overcoming various sicknesses and freezing temperatures. The group reached Everest Base Camp (5364m) and are now bonded for life, collectively raising over $550,000 towards brain cancer research, which is testament to the calibre of this group of men.
We are in awe of their strength, and so grateful for their commitment to MHF & helping to change the outcomes for brain cancer patients and their families.
Thank you to our amazing sponsors PKF Sydney & Newcastle, Fred Mayer Foundation, Vision Infrastructure, Ausure Insurance Newcastle, Colterlec, Channel 9 & The Travel Space, along with every single person who donated and supported this inspiring challenge.
It was the ladies turn to take the challenge to Brain Cancer for MHF when 20 women tackled the first Ladies Trek across seven days in March 2023.
This group, many with a personal connection to brain cancer, embarked on the Tasmanian wilderness of Maria Island, where they went from the sea to summit of Mount Maria, situated off Tasmania’s East Coast.
Walking from sun up to sun down over seven days, the group reached the summit on the peaks of Mt Bishop and Mount Clerk, as well as the islands highest peak, Mount Maria (711m) on their journey. Next, the ladies moved into the iconic Cradle Mountain National Park where they tackled the summit of Cradle Mountain, also not for the faint hearted as they completed 3 summits in 4 days. An amazing effort from this special group of women.
Thank you so much to everyone who donated and supported the ladies along the way. To raise just shy of $300,000 is incredible and testament to the calibre of ladies on the trek and our awesome supporters.
Huge thanks to our major sponsor the Lady Shake and other sponsors One Agency Lindy Harris, Laundy Hotels, the Travel Space, EMG Photography and Flanagans Menswear & Corporate Specialists.’
After several years of watching from afar and hearing Mark speak about all of the amazing destinations and special moments that had happened on the previous 6 MHF treks, I decided it was time to launch an all female MHF ladies trek. For so many reasons the timing was never right in the past, but whatever forces brought this group of remarkable women together to trek to Tasmania in March and raise money for MHF I will be forever grateful.
The MHF boys set off on their fifth, gruelling trek to the Top End of Australia in April 2022.
31 trekkers tested their body, mind and spirit as they rode 400 kilometres, hiked over 35kms and paddled more than 16kms through the vastness and beauty of Kakadu, Katherine Gorge, Jatbula and Litchfield National Parks.
This group was tested to the limit, mentally and physically in extreme heat, but nothing like what brain cancer patients and their families go through.
Despite facing challenging conditions, there were standout moments such as refreshing swims at Edith Falls, encountering majestic crocodiles up close, and immersing themselves in the rich indigenous culture of Arnhem Land.
Their efforts yielded an astounding result, raising over $520,000 to support our Brain Cancer Care Coordinators in their vital work assisting patients and families affected by brain cancer.
Thank you to our sponsors Scaffbuilt Solutions, The Good Feet Store, Tread Softly, Ausure Insurance, McDonalds Hexham and Wild Spirit Adventures along with all of our donors of this amazing adventure.
In October 2019, 20 brave MHF adventurers took on the monumental challenge of scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain on Earth. Standing proudly in Tanzania at 5,898 metres, the climb demanded both physical and mental resilience as they navigated through some of the toughest conditions you can face on the mountain.
Their efforts resulted in an incredible fundraising total of $695,579, including generous donations from major sponsor The MAN Shake, MHF supporter Charlie Sutton, and patient Trudy Bell.
The power of team work and mateship! Beyond personal achievement, this achievement symbolises the profound impact of a collective action in supporting brain cancer research and patient care. The 20 trekkers will never forget this inspiring journey they had together.
In October 2018, a group of 36 trekkers set off on a life changing experience to Borneo Coast to Coast, to conquer the Sandakan Death March. Their journey took them through the dense, untamed jungles of Sabah, where they traversed rugged terrain, paddled through winding rivers, and trekked along challenging paths. Along the way, they retraced the harrowing footsteps of Australia’s bravest prisoners of war, who endured the infamous Sandakan Death March during World War II.
Despite the obstacles they faced, the trekkers displayed incredible resilience and perseverance, pushing themselves to their limits in the pursuit of their collective goal. 167kms of riding, 61kms of walking, over 364kms of distance and 8000 metres of elevation gain and descent was involved in the summiting of Mt Kinabalu (4095m).
Their remarkable efforts raised an impressive $350,000 in support of brain cancer patient care. Thanks to our major sponsors The Man Shake, nib, Wild Spirit Adventures and all our supporters who donated to this journey.
October 2017 saw 10 Former Newcastle Knights players, along with 19 others in the group reach the pinnacle of Everest Base Camp, after 9 days of trekking through amazing scenery.
It was the 20th anniversary of the Newcastle Knights 1997 premiership victory, and the 14 day journey was just one of the ways the milestone was being celebrated amongst the team mates.
Major sponsors The Man Shake and nib both contributed substantially to the total $500,000 raised!
Spawned by a Christmas Day text message from Billy Peden to another Knights legend in Paul Harragon, the pair drummed up the idea of raising $50,000 for The Mark Hughes Foundation from the arduous journey through the World War II battlegrounds.
“I said, ‘it’s got to be hard because there’s no point asking people to sponsor something if it’s going to be a walk in the park’,” Peden said. “That’s where he came up with the Coast to Coast.”
So a select group of 17 set off to Kokoda in June 2016 and retuned to an amazing $150,000 rasied!
Beating brain cancer will take the power of your support.
Community fundraising helps us raise vital funds to support brain cancer patients, raise awareness about brain cancer and raise funds for research to find a cure. We have now made it even easier for you to support us.
Beating brain cancer will take the power of your support.
Community fundraising helps us raise vital funds to support brain cancer patients, raise awareness about brain cancer and raise funds for research to find a cure. We have now made it even easier for you to support us.
Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children, and adults aged under 40 in Australia, yet alarmingly very little is known about brain cancer, its causes or how it is treated.
That’s why we need your help. Every dollar helps in the fight against brain cancer. Your donation will go towards vital research to improve patient treatments and, hopefully, find a cure one day.
All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children, and adults aged under 40 in Australia, yet alarmingly very little is known about brain cancer, its causes or how it is treated.
That’s why we need your help. Every dollar helps in the fight against brain cancer. Your donation will go towards vital research to improve patient treatments and, hopefully, find a cure one day.
All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
