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Team members from leading accommodation provider Oaks Hotels & Resorts have rallied together to push their bodies and minds to the limit in support of the Kokoda Youth Foundation at the weekend, participating in one of the most gruelling endurance events in Australia, The Kokoda Challenge Gold Coast.

Team One – consisting of Lachlan Rentell, Director of Wholesale and Trade; Josh Basir, Sales Coordinator; Brett Hohn, General Manager AVANI Broadbeach; and Alison Briffa, Assistant Operations Manager – completed the mammoth event in 32 hours and 21 minutes.

While Team Two – consisting of Anthoney Jayasekera, Head of Digital; Peta Phillips, National Sales Manager Coach and Wholesale; Emma Wyatt, Data Driven Marketing Manager; and Marcia Carey, National Groups Specialist – successfully crossed the finish line in 32 hours and 50 minutes.

Trekking through dense Gold Coast Hinterland and facing the added element of a cold snap – with temperatures falling to single digits, the challenge is commonly referred to as the toughest team endurance event in Australia, with winding tracks, 14 check-points to pass and over 5000 metres of vertical elevation to climb and descend.

In addition to the two participating teams who gave a stellar effort, eight dedicated Oaks Hotels & Resorts support crew also donated their time to meet the participants at the nominated check-points, providing food, changes of clothes, medical attention and much-needed encouragement throughout the event.

As a result of participating in the epic endurance challenge, the team raised over $3500 in funds for the Kokoda Youth Foundation, a not-for-profit charity organisation that was founded by Vietnam veteran Doug Henderson OAM to assist young Australians from all social backgrounds in providing opportunities to learn key life skills and qualities. The youth program is underpinned by the core philosophies of the Spirit of Kokoda: courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice.

Chief Operations Officer of Oaks Hotels & Resorts, Mr Craig Hooley commented on the teams’ efforts.

“We are so proud of our teams and support crews who participated in the The Kokoda Challenge at the weekend. It is a truly honorable event that supports an upright cause, and we are delighted to be able to give our support at Oaks Hotels & Resorts,” Mr Hooley said.