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QinetiQ has announced that it will raise funds for veterans support agency Legacy, with a group of QinetiQ trekkers walking the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.
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But they won’t be alone – the other 380 people employed by QinetiQ Australia will also have the opportunity to contribute to this goal; by tracking their daily steps, fundraising and competing in tournaments to try and match the gruelling kilometres that their colleagues will achieve.
QinetiQ managing director Greg Barsby, who walk with the trekkers in PNG, said, "At QinetiQ, we have a strong sense of community and corporate responsibility, as shown by our previous years’ fundraising efforts for Legacy, as well as Soldier On, the Australian War Memorial and Integra Service Dogs."
Every step will promote awareness of Legacy Australia and the support it gives to Australian families suffering after the injury or death of a spouse or parent during or after their Defence service.
Backing up QinetiQ and Legacy’s effort in 2017 when over $100,000 was raised, this time QinetiQ is attempting to beat that target.
"This year, our employee-led CSR committee are helping us to coordinate a company-wide effort to maximise the positive effect we can have for Legacy Australia, by way of more funds raised and more exposure for their continued support to Australian families of veterans," Barsby explained.
The Kokoda Track is 96 kilometres across gruelling terrain on the Owen Stanley Range in PNG. The track was the location of the 1942 World War II battle between Japanese and Allied – primarily Australian – forces in what was then the Australian territory of Papua.
Hot, humid days with intensely cold nights, torrential rainfall and the risk of malaria make it a challenging trek. Hiking the trail normally takes between four and 12 days; the fastest recorded time is 16 hours 34 minutes.
To get the whole of QinetiQ Australia involved, QinetiQ will provide employees with a step-tracker and ask all of them to trek the same number of kilometres as a group over a seven-day tournament in August.
Rick Cranna, Legacy Australia chairman, said that Legacy Australia is tremendously grateful for QinetiQ’s continued financial support, "QinetiQ’s support and the funds raised by the whole business will greatly assist with Legacy Australia’s national youth developmental programs and help Legacy make a real difference to the lives of families who have suffered as a result of the service of a family member."
The team will also raise awareness of the incredible effort of soldiers in 1942, through a catalogue of fundraising activities over the next six months, raising much needed funds for Legacy.
"QinetiQ’s fundraising efforts back in 2017 of over $100,000 greatly assisted Legacy Australia’s Operation Kokoda Challenge. We in Legacy are very excited about the possibilities when up to 400 QinetiQ staff getting behind the effort to raise funds. Those funds raised will play a big part in funding the 2020 Legacy Australia Operation Kokoda Challenge for our Legacy Juniors," Cranna added.
