AFA Foundation makes history raising $117,000 on Kokoda Trail

Over $117,000 was raised for the AFA Foundation, making Kokoda 2018 the biggest single fundraising event in the foundation’s history.

Members and friends of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) have completed the 96km Kokoda Trail which took place from 24 August – 2 September.

The group raised a total of over $117,000 for the AFA Foundation, making Kokoda 2018 the biggest single fundraising event in the foundation’s history.

The group included AFA CEO Philip Kewin, Alisdair Barr, Ross Barnwell, Brad Fox, Russell Hannah, Michael Molloy, David Mounsey, Adrian Raftery, Nathan Taggart and Cara Williams.

The funds will be distributed by the AFA Foundation which gives generously to a number of charities including Legacy, The Black Dog Institute, MS Research Australia, Make a Wish Foundation and Bears for Hope.

Mr Kewin said the group was proud to raise funds for the AFA Foundation, which encourages giving back to local communities via charity partners. “This truly was a memorable experience, challenging us all at both a physical and an emotional level. It was a privilege to complete the trek with such a great group of people who did an amazing job in raising funds for their chosen charities.”

Olivia Sarah-Le Lacheur, chair of the AFA Foundation said, “The AFA Foundation engages AFA, members, partners and supporters in giving back to the community and working with our charity partners to make a meaningful difference for people in need.

“Over the past 11 years, we’ve shared over $1.6m with a wide range of charities across all states of Australia. Through the Kokoda program the AFA community has had the opportunity to participate in a life changing experience and raise much needed funds for our charity partners. We are very proud of the participants for their financial and physical achievements on the Kokoda trail.”

Brisbane-based financial adviser, Cara Williams, who did the trek to raise funds for Bears of Hope and to honour the memory of Darcy, her nephew who was stillborn, said, “Trekking Kokoda with the AFA Foundation was one of the most amazing weeks of my life. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but worth every single moment. I would encourage everyone to consider trekking Kokoda. You will learn so much about what our soldiers went through, you will grow as a person and you will have the honour to trek with some incredible people who will be mates for life.”