This article recently appeared in the Duke of Edinburgh Australia's newsletter. We thought it was worth sharing...

Get out and get moving in the great outdoors...

A family day that's good for you, your family and youth in need.

Twelve year old Archy Fowler is “pumped” about being part of the Youth4Youth Challenge, the 20km team challenge being held on Sunday, 13 October in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, just outside Sydney. The event aims to raise $50,000 for youth charities, including The Duke of Ed.

For the second year, Archy and his Mum, Rowena are walking together, this year with his sister Mallee(10) and family friend Fionn Byrne (15).

Having taken part in last year’s event, the Fowler family know exactly what to expect – in fact, that’s the drawcard for them.

“It was a whole heap of fun last year and it was good to do something for charity. It was challenging but completely doable,” said Archy.

Archy’s mum, Rowena Fowler, is the driving force behind the team, and was drawn to it because she is a very active walker and takes part in many walking events but there was nothing that she could really involve the whole family in... until now. And not just her family… Rowena has recruited four families to make up three teams for the event!

“There’s no other event like this in Sydney, where there’s a decent walk that young people really enjoy and are encouraged to get out there with their families, see the great outdoors and do something for others,” said Rowena.

“Last year, the day was so much fun, the people were so friendly, the showbag we got for finishing was great and the track was managed well for safety – the organisers did a really good job and that makes you want to do it again,” she said.

The family is now focused on raising the $1,000 each team is required to raise in sponsorship for the event. Rhonda said “You’ve got to be creative to reach your quota – get your friends to donate their coffee money for the week, just getting people to make a sacrifice of something small so that others in need can benefit. Family and friends are the best people to reach out to - if you put it out there, you can reach the target”.

And our advice? Start now! – each person in the team only needs to raise $20 per week from now until the event if you register now ! Duke of Ed participants can even use the event towards the Volunteering and Fitness sections of their Award.

Organised by World Expeditions Schools , the event takes walkers through the beautiful loop trek from Berowra to Apple Tree Bay, then following the Great North Walk from Mt Kuring Gai back to the finish line at Berowra (map).