Leah O'Brien

Cause: Interplast
Adventure: Turia’s Interplast Kokoda Trek 2016
Fundraising Page: http://turiaskokodatrek.gofundraise.com.au/page/LeahOBrien
Social: @leahrobrien

As our Fundraiser of the Month, Leah has scored herself a $50 donation to her fundraiser! To be our next month’s winner, make sure you’re uploading your journey to social and use the hashtag #IveBeenInspired.

What inspired you to take on your first Inspired Adventure for Interplast?

I am very fortunate to have been selected by my work, Johnson & Johnson Medical, to work as an ambassador for Interplast Australia and New Zealand. It is amazing to work for a company that helps support organisations such as Interplast and this led to me Turia’s Kokoda Trek. I absolutely love travelling and adventure, so the opportunity to do this while helping out a worthwhile charity is fantastic. Being able to do this as part of my job is the opportunity of a lifetime.

How are you feeling about the challenge ahead?

Nervous! I expect the Kokoda Track to be very challenging. I am training very hard and I am so grateful to have met some wonderful people along the way.

What have been some of your more successful fundraising ideas so far?

I have some very generous family, friends and colleagues who have been the main contributors to my success (thank you, if you’re reading this). I am currently running a raffle, planning a bake-off for April and running a guessing game in our staff café.  I have been absolutely blown away by the response.

"Just do it. Commit first – ask questions later!"

What have been some of the highlights of your fundraising experience so far?

Witnessing firsthand the generosity of businesses, family and friends and those that are motivated to help when they hear about the great work Interplast ANZ do throughout Asia-Pacific.

What have been your biggest challenges in taking on an Inspired Adventure? How did you overcome this?

I am really nervous about being out of contact with my husband while trekking! I’m not sure I’ve overcome this yet, but I’m sure the adventure will help make this a little easier.

Have you noticed any changes or transformations in your life since taking on your first adventure?

I feel a real sense of achievement in raising funds for Interplast. My training for the trek is helping my fitness as well, so I’m feeling great all round.

What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming adventure to Kokoda?

I live to travel. I am so excited to see new places, meet new people, and make a real difference to those Interplast helps throughout Asia-Pacific.

What advice would you offer to other people looking to complete a challenge like this?

Just do it. Commit first – ask questions later!

Fundraiser of the month

Become our Fundraiser of the Month to win a $50 donation for your fundraiser! 

Take a picture whilst on your adventure or when you’re training and use the hashtag #IveBeenInspired and your adventure hashtag. The most exciting use of the hashtag, with a fundraising focus will be our Fundraiser of the Month – it’s that easy!

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