Brothers raise $1200 for young people
The Buckley’s 24-Hour Adventure Race proved to be every bit as brutal as promised — but for brothers Ciaran and Danny Fountain, completing the 120km course was far more than a physical achievement.
Their effort also raised an incredible $1200 for The Bridge Youth + Family Services, supporting young people across Seymour, Mitchell Shire and surrounding communities.
It was a homecoming, a reconnection, and a commitment to the Seymour and Mitchell Shire communities that helped shape their young adult lives.
Separated by 15 years of living on different continents, Ciaran (now based in Puckapunyal) and Danny (living in Craigieburn) took on their first endurance race together as a way to rebuild their bond — and to give back to the region their family calls home.
A race designed to break you — and they beat it
Held on December 6 and 7 in Lorne on the Great Ocean Road, Buckley’s 24 is a classic non-stop, 24-hour adventure race involving trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and other surprise disciplines, designed to test physical strength, navigation skills and mental resilience.
Teams of two or four must navigate their way unsupported through more than 120 km of rugged terrain — with the full course only revealed to competitors hours before the start.
After finishing the course, Ciaran said: “It was the hardest thing I have ever done. The pain I am in is unexplainable.”
But the toughest parts of the race were also the moments that forged new memories:
“My brother made me so proud, absolutely pushing through some painful times that he would never have experienced. Definitely worth every moment and memories made for life.”
For Danny — an air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic completing his electrical trade — this
was a completely new kind of challenge.
For Ciaran — an ADF Artillery soldier with exposure to youth mental health support and resilience coaching — it was a chance to use his skills for something meaningful.
From the UK and Germany to Seymour: A journey across the world
The brothers grew up moving between the UK and Germany due to family and military life, changing schools every few years and learning early what resilience and adaptability truly looked like.
Danny later moved to Australia in 2010, while Ciaran remained in the UK, serving with the Army until age 32.
Both eventually found their way back to Victoria — with a powerful family connection already waiting here.
Their parents have lived in Seymour for more than 15 years, anchoring the family firmly into the Mitchell region.
Danny and their sister Leannda spent much of their young adult life in Seymour, playing local
sport and contributing to the community.
Since returning to Australia in 2024, Ciaran has also embedded himself in the area, supporting local charities and becoming involved with the Seymour Football Netball Club.
Supporting a youth organisation with a strong presence across Seymour, Wallan, Kilmore and surrounding communities felt like a natural choice.
“During my search of who to support, The Bridge aligned best with what my brother and I believe in. The work you do for young people is so important for our community,” Ciaran said.
Why The Bridge?
The brothers were drawn to The Bridge Youth + Family Services because of its values, its strong focus on safety, and its reputation for empowering young people across the region.
“Your programs — early intervention, outreach, family support, youth homelessness, mental health — they are vital,” Ciaran said.
“Even if our fundraiser helps just one young person reach out for help, that’s enough.”
Their race wasn’t just about fitness. It was about visibility — shining a light on the challenges young people face today, from isolation to constant online pressure to family breakdown.
A race completed, a community inspired
What began with a simple goal of raising $500 quickly grew to $1200 — a testament to the community’s generosity and the brothers’ determination.
Their effort reflects the very qualities The Bridge seeks to foster in young people: resilience, teamwork, hope and connection.
Ciaran summed it up best:
“This fundraiser wasn’t about raising loads of money — it was about raising awareness. The Bridge does amazing work for our younger generation, and we just wanted to help shine a light on that.”