For trekker, Ruben Westaway, what started as a daunting prospect ending up being one of the most memorable parts of his Coastrek experience. He shares his unique fundraising story with us:
Fundraising, for me, is really about ‘fun’ raising. Or at least it should be – and can be!
When I signed up for Coastrek Sydney, I knew the fundraising part was going to be the biggest challenge. Not the training. Not the hike itself. Asking people for money - even for a cause I passionately believe in - felt a little daunting.
Surprise, surprise: it turned out to be the most rewarding part of the whole experience.
Fundraising, for me, became less about raising money and more about raising joy, connection, and purpose. As cliché as it sounds, mindset really is everything and undertaking Coastrek this year really showed me that. The first (and biggest) hurdle wasn’t logistics or planning - it was believing that I could actually do it. That mindset shift ended up being more valuable than even the $1,000 I raised for Beyond Blue’s mental health Support Service - though that was a pretty special achievement too.
At first, the idea of fundraising felt like a chore. A hassle. Another thing on an already overflowing to-do list. I remember sitting down to brainstorm ideas, and my partner asked, “Are you excited?” The honest answer? “No. Not really.”
But as I sat with it, something shifted. The real beauty of the spirit of Coastrek began to dawn on me. I realised this wasn’t actually about me at all. It was about something so much bigger - a chance to connect to purpose, to contribute to a cause I care deeply about, and to uplift my community in the process.
So I asked myself: If I want people to give generously to this incredible cause, what can I give them in return?
Rather than reinventing the wheel, we took inspiration from Coastrek itself - which is, after all, a supported, scenic, soul-nourishing experience. We decided to create our own ‘mini-version’: with a guided (head torches a must!), catered twilight trek to showcase the natural beauty of Middle Head, Sydney. The evening trek was both something a little different and meant people (ie our donors!) could join us after work hours and enjoy the experience.
We couldn’t compete with the magnificence of nature - so we leaned into it. We wanted to create an experience that helped people reconnect with the outdoors, with each other, and with themselves. A reminder of how good it feels to simply slow down, breathe, and be.
Once the idea clicked, everything shifted. I was no longer dreading the task - we were officially excited. We had a plan. A place. A product. A purpose. We just had to get ourselves some people.
So we started drafting, scheming, texting, writing, cooking, calling… we even brewed some homemade kombucha. It became a true team effort, fuelled by passion and the joy of creating something beautiful for others. We learnt a lot, mistakes were made, schedules were changed and goals adjusted, but in the end, after running around like elves on Christmas eve, we got the job done.
That night, on a grassy grove under the stars, surrounded by picnic rugs, candles, and trays of lovingly prepared snacks, 30 generous humans - friends, family, and even a few strangers - lounged together under the moonlight. We drank cacao, laughed, shared stories, and just… exhaled.
That’s when it hit me: this is what mental health is all about.
Purpose. Connection. Movement. Play. Nature.
Fundraising doesn’t have to be about pressure or guilt or awkward conversations. It can be joyful. Creative. Nourishing. It can be a way to build community while making a real difference.
To anyone gearing up for Coastrek and feeling unsure about the fundraising part: trust yourself. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to start. Lead with heart, get a little creative, and remember - the value you’re offering isn’t just in the dollars raised, but in the energy, connection, and love you’re putting out into the world. Who knows, you might even have a little fun.Looking for other fundraising ideas? Here's some to get you started:
- Open up a training hike and invite others to join you - while Ruben chose an evening hike on Sydney Harbour, a weekend hike in a national park or coastal trail followed by a fundraising picnic and party is a great way to engage with fundraising and treat your supporters.
- Host a fun movie night at your local cinema – think good film (bonus points if it's about nature, the outdoors or hiking!) bubbles, and a grazing platter. Sell tickets for a set price, with a portion going directly to your Coastrek fundraising page, and a portion to cover the movie costs. It’s a great way to rally your community and turn a girls’ night out into a feel-good fundraiser! Contact your local independent cinema for details.
- Channel your inner Raffle ticket queen and take inspiration from passionate Coastrek Ambassador and super fundraiser Peta O-Brien! Peta has discovered a formula that works - and she's happily shared all her secrets here!
- Why just have bingo when you can have a musical bingo night? That's what team Ruby Pinot did - read all about their night of laughter, singing, dancing and fundraising here!
For more fun-fundraising ideas, head to our website and check out the fundraising resources in your dashboard. No matter how you choose to fundraise for Coastrek, our top tip is simple: make it fun, get your commnuity involved, and do what you love. When your heart is in it, people can feel it - and they'll want to support you!
