Towers 4 Change debuts as Australia’s biggest stair climb challenge for charity

December 15, 2024

Australia’s first four-tower vertical stair climb challenge is set to debut in 2025 with ‘Towers 4 Change’ aiming to raise over $400,000 - or $100,000 per tower - at the West Side Place precinct in the Melbourne CBD.

As Australia’s largest stair climb charity event, and with the highest tower exceeding 80 levels and 1400 stairs, Towers 4 Change not only offers a physical challenge, but also provides a powerful way for individuals and groups to ‘Step Up For Charity’ and raise money to support a charity that they connect with.

Each of the four towers at West Side Place will be dedicated to raising much needed funds for a different and deserving cause, including building homes for women and children escaping family violence, supporting those living with life-altering conditions, and vital medical research.

Tower 1: Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
Tower 2: Friedreich Ataxia Research Association (fara Australia)
Tower 3: Good Friday Appeal
Tower 4: The Victorian Homeless Fund

West Side Place developer Far East Consortium is proud to present a one-of-a-kind event that will make a difference in the lives of many Australians for years to come.

Lauren Sheldon, Director of Marketing and Sales at Far East Consortium, enthused “we're excited to contribute to Melbourne’s vibrant event scene and raise awareness for these worthy causes. This four-tower climb exemplifies our commitment to fostering a vibrant community. By bringing people together for this unique event, we aim to benefit everyone involved, from residents to participants and beyond.”

Whether they’re running, walking, or crawling to the finish line in honour of a loved one, or simply showing solidarity in the hope of creating a meaningful impact, participants can truly make every step count this March.

EVENT DETAILS
Towers 4 Change
West Side Place, 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Sunday 30th March 2025
7am – 1pm

To find out more about Towers 4 Change, visit: www.towers4change.com.au

ABOUT THE CHARITY PARTNERS

Good Friday Appeal
Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has been dedicated to fundraising for The Royal Children’s Hospital so that it can continue to provide world class care for children in Victoria and beyond. Funds from the Good Friday Appeal go towards ground-breaking research, state of the art equipment and technology, education and family centred care programs. GFA funds over 28 different projects each year - some are across multiple years, others one off purchases.

Rebecca Cowan, Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal shared “We are thrilled to be selected as a charity partner for the West Side Place Towers 4 Change, a unique and challenging event. These funds will have a profound impact funding state of the art equipment, research, training and patient and family centred care programs to continue the world class care provided by The Royal Children's Hospital."

Friedreich Ataxia Research Association (fara Australia)
fara raises funds for research into treatments and a cure for Friedreich Ataxia (FA). FA is a rare genetic and progressive neuro-muscular disorder that is typically diagnosed in children or teens. It leads to loss of muscle co-ordination, fatigue, vision impairment, hearing loss, slurred speech, then a serious heart condition which in many cases turns fatal by the mid-thirties. One in every 30,000 in Australia are affected. One in 90 people are carriers. There is currently no cure and no approved treatment in Australia.

Brad Hyde, Chief Executive fara Australia added “Friedreich Ataxia robs you of muscle strength, mobility and the ability to do even the everyday things we might take for granted. At fara, we are a small, rare disease charity with no government funding, raising funds for FA medical research. Being a partner of West Side Place Towers 4 Change will deliver the single greatest boost to awareness and fundraising beyond our own community. Every step climbers take will Lend Some Muscle to those living with FA and get us closer to finding that cure.”

Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) supports vital research across the country that will help better detect, treat and prevent ovarian cancer. The OCRF is Australia’s largest independent funder of ovarian cancer medical research. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal women’s cancer with a five-year survival rate that has barely changed in decades, languishing at under 50%. Addressing health disparity and funding inequity in cancer research is fundamental to achieving higher survival rates for ovarian cancer.

Robin Penty, Chief Executive Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation added “West Side Place Towers 4 Change is a great new event that symbolises the heights we can achieve when we unite together for a cause. Every step up, and every dollar raised, will directly support our vision of a healthy future for those impacted by ovarian cancer. This challenge is a powerful statement of hope, resilience, and the belief that each of us can make a difference. We are deeply grateful to the climbers and supporters helping OCRF achieve step-change for women’s cancers, both figuratively and literally!"

The Victorian Homeless Fund
The Victorian Homeless Fund (VHF) is a Melbourne-based charity committed to providing safe and stable long-term housing for women and children escaping family violence. By building homes on unused residential land, the VHF offers families a fresh start and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. At its core, the VHF believes that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

Colleen May, Victorian Homeless Fund Chair shared “Domestic violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in Australia. This is such a significant problem and we can’t solve it by ourselves, which is why we’re proud to partner with West Side Place Towers 4 Change. If individually we all give a little, then collectively, we can change people’s lives. Every home we build is about extending a helping hand to those most in need, and providing a family with more than just a home—they gain hope and a future."

23rd September 2024 - Hearts4heart highlights benefits of fitness trackers in identifying heart disease symptoms

4th July 2024 - MATTA reveals Disability Sports Australia as charity partner

8th February 2024 - HealthAccord focusses on elite athlete mental health and female athlete well-being

23rd October 2023 - STRONG Pilates backs Gotcha4Life charity during Mental Health Awareness month

3rd October 2022 - Snap Fitness collaborates with LIVIN for National Mental Health Month

8th May 2020 - Anytime Fitness Grafton named Fitness Business of the Year Award at 2020 Australian Fitness Awards

1st March 2020 - Stair climbing events grow in popularity

17th January 2020 - New Zealand’s biggest stair climb returns to Auckland Eden Park

30th April 2019 - New Jacobs Ladder style stairs opened in Perth’s Hammond Park

18th April 2018 - Mackay’s ‘Hell Stairs’ undergo three month upgrade program

16th February 2017 - Eden Park prepares for New Zealand’s biggest stair climb

19th January 2016 - Domain Stadium to host second Stadium Stair Race

12th February 2015 - Registrations open for the ultimate stair climbing challenge

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