Convert your energy for those in need

Seven Victorian charities are teaming up for a movement-based virtual fundraising challenge

Victorians are being urged to harness their energy by walking, running, cycling or dancing to raise money for charity and help power the community’s social recovery. 

With many charities experiencing a drop in donations last year during the pandemic, the Power Up 2021 campaign has been launched to bring fundraising back to life.                           

A group of seven charities – Bully Zero, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Brainwave, Ready Set, Lord Somers Camp and Powerhouse, Mirabel Foundation and Little Dreamers – are behind the challenge, which runs from 28 February to 28 March. 

The Power Up challenge involves people setting a target amount of energy they want to try and generate through movement, which is measured through fitness tracking devices and automatically converted to kilowatts through participants’ fundraising pages.

This campaign aims to generate 500,000 watts of energy – enough to power the MCG lights for over a year.

At the end of the challenge, the virtual kilowatts raised will be celebrated through a beam of light that will be created to shine a light over Melbourne.

Tim Ryan, CEO of Lord Somers Camp and Power House, said he was proud to be a part of the campaign. 

“We are delighted to bring together seven amazing charities that allows us to unite behind one common goal in these difficult times,” Ryan said. 

“We remain focused on creating a stronger, more inclusive society and look forward to powering up our community together.” 

Bully Zero CEO Janet Grima urged people to get on board and help raise money for worthy causes.

“At Bully Zero, we are a community of caring people passionate about creating an Australia where we all feel safe, valued and respected,” Grima said.

“Power Up offers us a chance to unite, get off the couch and do something meaningful.”

You can register for the campaign here.