The Verden's Kokoda Challenge

By Gemma, Hugo, Will, Janet, Mick

The Verdens are hiking Kokoda for Mito

In July, the Verden family are hiking The Kokoda Track, with a group of friends.  We are dedicating this endeavour to the Mito Foundation, a charity close to our hearts.   

The Kokoda Track is considered the 2nd most challenging trek in the world*, through the jungles and mud of deep Papua New Guinea in hot, humid tropical conditions.  The track follows the original track used by Australian forces in the Second World War en route to halting the Japanese.  

Over the last decade, our family have walked ~1 million steps on 20 Bloody Long Walks organised by the Mito Foundation.  Completing this 100km track will take our combined step count to ~1.7 million.  

Mito is a debilitating, terminal disease that affects thousands of Aussie kids and adults. There is no cure. We are looking to raise $5000 to help The Mito Foundation continue their work to improve the lives of people living with mitochondrial disease and fund research to find a cure.   

We would love your support.  Please donate here.


Thank you to my Sponsors

$108.60

Mark & Yvette Willock

$162.90

Lisa And Michael Uttley

Congratulations on trekking and surviving Kokoda we loved being with you every step.

$108.60

The Fordham’s

Hope it was an experience that you can all share in memories and achievement as a family x

$32.58

Tom Robinson

Hope it is a fantastic experience!

$32.58

Maria Huynh

Such a worthy cause and amazing feat that you and your family are embarking on. All the best with the trek - I’ll be cheering you in the background!

$100

Glenn Wilson

$325.80

Amanda Johnston

Good luck! So impressive - go well and enjoy!!

$108.60

Nadia

Good luck Janet and family! What an amazing experience to tackle together!

$54.30

Barbara Ross

Best wishes for the great hike to support the Mito Foundation!

$54.30

Craig Miners

Inspirational!

$54.30

Cindy Cowell

Good Luck ! I will be thinking of you

$543

Noah & Roman

What an amazing adventure!

$100

Ashish Arora

Good luck, Janet. Be safe and have a great family time.

$271.50

Jessica Laws

Great cause Janet - very inspiring

$108.60

Victoria Gibson

You guys are incredible. The Mito Foundation is so fortunate to have your advocacy and support. Safe travels and mind the leeches x

$50

Paulina Skorupski

Good Luck Janet and Family. What an adventure and a wonderful cause.

$50

Tannaz Shams

Good luck Janet.

$50

Rosie & Toby

What a wonderful cause and amazing experience for your family. Wishing you safe travels and looking forward to hearing your stories.

$25

Mark, Nik And Piper

Good luck guys we know you will smash it what an amazing experience as a family, can’t wait to hear all about it ❤️

$81.45

Jaimie Toole

Good luck, I hope you have the legs!

$150

Chris Morgan

Good luck Verdens!

$21.72

Richard Spalding

Good luck with the Track Janet!

$100

Louise Beazley

Good luck with another long walk - inspirational steps!

$100

Alison Callaghan

Wow, wishing you all the success in the world, what a feat! Look forward to hearing about it on the other side....

$54.30

Anonymous

Good luck

$250

Mark Willock

$217.20

Family Wallace

GO Team Verden!

$217.20

Anonymous

Hi Everyone, I’ll be thinking about you all, take care 💕💕💕💕

$217.20

Cath Chapman

What an awesome thing to be doing. Hope the trip goes well. The Chapmans are very impressed with you all!!! x

$54.30

Maria, Craig And Family

Enjoy your awesome family adventure!

$100

Richie Walton

$108.60

Kat Velthuysen

Amazing family effort - best of luck to you all!

$100

Kevin Prendergast

Hope Michael's knee holds up!!

$54.30

Hyung Kim

Great cause. Good luck!

$325.80

Fraser Family

Go team Verden you champions!!! What an AMAZING thing to do together for this important cause ⭐️ 👏 👏xxxxx

$50

Adam Pfeiffer

Great cause! Sounds like a challenging and wonderful experience I wish you all the best! From the Pfeiffers

$75

Sophie Lainson

Good Luck Verden’s! Lots of love Sophie, Tom, Claire, Andy and Matt x

$75

Nirav, Anjali ,nimesh, Kajal & Truffle

Amazing challenge to take on as a family 👏🏽 Go the Verdens !!! Best wishes from the Shahs

$106.12

Louise Miller

$50

Sarah Oquist

Go Verdens!

$50

Flavia Julius

Well done, Verdens!!! Always very proud of you all. Lots of love from the Julius family xxx

$25

Lisa Robertson

What an amazing thing to do . Keep us updated on how you went xo

$106.12

Christine Legg

Wishing you and your family a successful trek!

$520

Marg Kench

My uncle was on Kokoda in WW2 I am pleased the family are going to this place of so much significance to us all

$73.46

Pei Li G

What an incredible family bonding experience and for an incredible cause. Maybe best to leave the gorilla mask at home for this one =) and can't wait to hear all about it.

$43.60

Joe O'rourke

Goodluck, Janet and family.

$54.12

Kathryn Ingersole

$51

Jai Jaisankar

$33.15

Holly Coleman

Well done!

$52.92

Renee Armstrong

Good luck Janet! Such a great initiative x

$30

Abby Muringani

Way to go Janet and family. Wishing you all the best as you tackle this challenge.

$100

George Beniac

Goodluck and for a great cause! I know you’ve all been training very hard.

$54.12

David Tu

Good Luck!

$22.58

Cindy Cowell

amazing !!

$30

Andrew Norton

$108.42

Aaron Smith

Good luck! I am sure it will be a wonderful experience for a good cause.

$32.43

Cam

Go Janet and family!

$54.12

The Lloyd Family

Wow Verdens, this is an awesome challenge to take on and how wonderful that you will be doing this as a family. All the best for a walk.

$200

Allison Portus

Great cause and all the very best for this challege.

$54.12

Zeinab Alliji

Good luck! I hope you all enjoy this experience and congratulations on raising money for this worthy cause

$106.12

Hope And The Chapmans

Go Gemma, Go the Verdens!

$206.20

Kirsten Brown

Nice team work Verdens!

$106.12

Suzie

Such an excellent adventure. Very excited to hear all about it.

$179.35

Jo Dean

170 for 1.7m Verden Steps for Mito. What an incredible effort over the years guys… I’m sure this epic challenge will top them all! Utterly impressed by your collective determination. Good luck! Xx

$106.12

Kathy Condos

I can’t wait to hear all about this amazing and challenging experience! What a way to pay respect to the bravery and suffering of the veterans who served.

$54.12

Joanne

Great cause - hope it all goes well

$211

Steven Borgonah

$515.50

Janet Verden