Lace up your sneakers! This March, Melbourne will host Towers 4 Change, Australia’s first-ever vertical stair climb challenge spanning four towers. As well as celebrating the status as the country’s biggest chair climb challenge, the event aims to raise over $200,000 for four vital charities. Each dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Australians facing life-altering challenges. Set in the stunning West Side Place precinct, this event promises to deliver both a test of endurance and a powerful opportunity to “Step Up for Charity.”
Happening on Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, participants will race up the towering heights of West Side Place, with the highest of the four towers boasting 80 floors and 1,400 stairs. Whether you’re taking it on as a personal challenge or participating for a cause close to your heart, every step counts. The goal is clear: raise $50,000 for each tower’s dedicated charity, bringing the total to an ambitious $200,000.
Each tower represents a different charity, allowing participants to choose the cause they want to support. The four charities are:
- Tower 1: Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
- Tower 2: Friedreich Ataxia Research Association (fara Australia)
- Tower 3: Good Friday Appeal
- Tower 4: The Victorian Homeless Fund
These charities are working tirelessly to make life-changing impacts in the fields of cancer research, rare disease awareness, children’s healthcare, and providing safe homes for women and children escaping family violence. And, with the towering heights participants will need to scale, the challenge is sure to drive much-needed attention to these worthy causes.
Far East Consortium, the developer behind West Side Place, is proud to host this groundbreaking event. Lauren Sheldon, Director of Marketing and Sales at Far East Consortium, shared her excitement. “We’re thrilled to contribute to Melbourne’s vibrant event scene and raise awareness for these important causes. By bringing people together for this unique event, we aim to benefit everyone involved, from residents to participants and beyond.”
For those who might be intimidated by the thought of climbing so many stairs, fear not. Whether you plan to run, walk, or crawl your way to the top, the focus is on participation, solidarity, and fundraising. Rather than the speed at which you ascend. Every step taken is one step closer to making a significant difference in the lives of others.
The four charities involved are already praising the event’s potential to raise vital funds:
- Rebecca Cowan. The Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal, emphasised the importance of the event for funding critical equipment and research for The Royal Children’s Hospital. And, it’s ability to support children’s health care in Victoria.
- Brad Hyde. The CEO of fara Australia, highlighted that each step taken by participants helps raise awareness and funds for medical research into Friedreich Ataxia, a progressive neuro-muscular disorder that impacts thousands of Australians.
- Robin Penty. The CEO of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, praised the event as an important opportunity to bring attention to the underfunded field of ovarian cancer research. And, seek to eradicate a disease which continues to have a staggering impact on Australian women.
- Colleen May. The Chair of the Victorian Homeless Fund, noted how the event helps build safe spaces for those escaping family violence. “Every home we build is about extending a helping hand to those most in need,” she said
This event is shaping up to be more than just a physical challenge. It’s also an opportunity to unite the Melbourne community for a good cause, raise awareness for pressing issues, and provide much-needed support for charities that are working tirelessly to improve lives. As Melbourne’s biggest stair climb challenge, Towers 4 Change is not only about scaling new heights. It’s about making a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.
For more information or to sign up for the challenge, visit www.towers4change.com.au.
