Junee crew turns 150km trek into $33K fundraising triumph

JUNEE’S Big Three Trek crew has raised more than $33,000 for the fight against brain cancer after conquering this year’s gruelling 150-kilometre journey from Sydney to Newcastle.

The local contingent’s mammoth contribution formed part of a record-breaking year for the Big Three Trek, with the 85-strong field smashing its $300,000 target to raise an incredible $487,326 for the Mark Hughes Foundation.

Known among fellow participants as “The Junee Crew”, Jason Ferrario and his sister Kylee Huard walked in memory of their late brother, Rick Keast, while Michael Diggins, his son Rhys, Lisa Harris and her son Charlie walked in honour of Zach Diggins.

Michael’s wife, Lisa Diggins, was also part of the Junee contingent as a member of the support crew.

Together, they generated more than $33,000 through community donations and a hugely successful raffle.

More than $14,000 came from raffle ticket sales alone, with every prize donated by generous sponsors, allowing all proceeds to go directly to the Mark Hughes Foundation to support brain cancer research, awareness and patient support.

The Junee crew pictured outside the Catho Pub at the end of Day 2 of The Big Three Trek in June 2026 | Image: Supplied

The Junee crew set off from Sydney before sunrise on Friday, June 26, and spent three demanding days on foot before completing the 150-kilometre journey at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

Their arrival on the Sunday afternoon capped an extraordinary three days, with the trekkers receiving a heroes’ welcome at the stadium ahead of the Newcastle Knights’ clash with the Wests Tigers.

READ MORE: Junee crew completes Big Three Trek

Jason said the trek had again proved an unforgettable experience, with the local contingent now firmly entrenched in what participants affectionately call “the trek family”.

“The trek was another unbelievable and memorable experience for all of us,” he said.

“We are now a big part of the trek family, known to all as the ‘Junee crew’, and can’t wait to do it all again in 2027.”

This year’s event marked Jason’s third consecutive Big Three Trek, having first taken on the challenge in 2024.

Kylee returned for her second trek after joining her brother for the first time last year, while Michael, Rhys and Lisa Harris also completed the walk for a second time.

For Jason and Kylee, every kilometre was walked in honour of Rick, who lost his life to brain cancer in 2009 following a courageous battle spanning more than a decade.

Jason Ferrario pictured with his sister, Kylee Huard, as they approached McDonald Jones Stadium at the end of the Big Three Trek 6.0 on June 28, 2026 | Image: Supplied

For the Diggins family, the challenge continues the legacy of beloved son, brother, nephew and cousin Zach, who died in October 2022 after battling an aggressive grade four astrocytoma from the age of 12.

Zach had initially been given an 18-month life expectancy, but defied the odds for six years.

Before his death, he donated tumour tissue and blood to research in the hope his experience could help others facing brain cancer in the future.

Those deeply personal connections have transformed the annual trek into far more than a fundraising challenge for the Junee families.

Jason said the group now considered themselves “lifers” and had every intention of continuing to walk and fundraise for the cause.

“With all of us now having participated twice, and myself three times, we are embedded in the trek family and consider ourselves lifers,” he said.

“We will continue to trek and raise money in the hope of one day finding a cure.”

The Junee crew after completing the Big Three Trek 6.0 in June 2026 | Images: Supplied

The Junee crew’s $33,000-plus contribution helped propel the sixth edition of the Big Three Trek to its biggest result yet.

Organisers had set an ambitious $300,000 fundraising target for this year’s event, but the 85 trekkers ultimately blew that figure away, raising $487,326 for the Mark Hughes Foundation.

Across its six editions, the Big Three Trek has now generated more than $1.6 million for the foundation and its work supporting brain cancer research, awareness, patients and their families.

Jason said the Junee crew’s own result would not have been possible without the extraordinary backing it received from across the community.

“We are forever grateful for your support; the support offered by sponsors, community, family and friends has been amazing — it truly is overwhelming,” he said.

Despite only recently completing another 150 kilometres on foot, the Junee crew is already looking ahead to its next challenge.

“Bring on 7.0,” Jason said.

“Is it June 2027 yet?”

Jason pictured with his sister, Kylee, after completing the Big Three Trek 6.0 in June, 2026 | Image: Supplied