On Wednesday 24 May, the boys in Nansen House ran 110 kilometres for Darkness to Daylight. Each year Challenge DV holds Darkness to Daylight to raise community awareness and funds for domestic and family violence prevention.

Old Boy Keith Tracey-Patte (1987), who attended Churchie from 1983 to 1987 in Biggs house, is the Chief Executive Officer of Challenge DV. Keith spoke to the boys after their run: “It is so amazing to be back here at Churchie and to see the school is still so committed to making a difference in the lives of people in our community. Darkness to Daylight is a special event which is run each year during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention month in May. It is a 110 kilometre run or walk. Every kilometre represents a life lost to domestic violence on average each year in Australia. We run throughout the night to symbolise the darkness and isolation of people in unsafe relationships. But we finish the event as a community as the sun comes up to stand together to say there is hope and that domestic and family violence must end.”

Keith also spoke to the boys about healthy relationships. “In the end, all violence and abuse happen because one person feels they are entitled to control or have power over another person. As you grow and start having relationships of your own, it is important to know that happy and healthy relationships begin with respecting each other. The best relationships are those where people want to be together. None of us have the right to choose what another person can do or who they can be with.”

Team Churchie will be participating in the live event for Darkness to Daylight at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens on the evening of 30th through to early morning on 31st May. Mr Mitch Rosenlund will lead the team from Churchie running throughout the night to do their own 110 kilometres.

If you wish to make a donation to support Nansen House and Challenge DV, please click here.