Walking for Zach and Rick: Junee families lace up for 150km charity walk

UNITED by heartbreak and hope, two Junee families are gearing up to walk a gruelling 150 kilometres from Sydney to Newcastle to raise vital funds and awareness for brain cancer research.

Brother and sister duo Jason Ferrario and Kylee Huard, along with Michael Diggins, his sister Lisa, and his son Rhys, will join around 60 other walkers on this year’s The Big Three Trek.

The annual event is held as part of the NRL’s Beanies for Brain Cancer Round, which shines a national light on the fight against brain cancer—one of the deadliest and most underfunded of all cancer—and raises funds for the Mark Hughes Foundation.

The trek kicks off in Sydney before dawn on Wednesday, June 25, and spans three punishing days—traversing bushland, highways and suburban streets—before culminating at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle for the Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders clash on Friday night.

This year marks the fifth edition of the Big Three Trek, a grassroots movement that began in 2021 when organiser Luke Alexander and two mates set out to honour their late soccer coach.

Since then, it’s grown into one of the NRL’s most impactful charity campaigns, raising nearly $1 million to date.

Organisers hope to surpass the million-dollar mark this year with a fundraising goal of $185,000.

The event smashed expectations in 2024, raising more than $240,000.

For Junee’s Jason Ferrario, this year’s walk will be his second. He first took part in 2024 to honour his late brother Ricky Keast, who passed away in 2009 after a courageous 10-year battle with brain cancer.

Jason raised more than $24,000 for the cause last year and described the experience as “one of the most rewarding of my life.”

“I lost my brother Rick to brain cancer in 2009 after a long and courageous battle and chose to do the trek in his honour,” Jason said.

“The trek was the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done, and I enjoyed it so much, I’m going again for version 5.0.”

This time, Jason will be joined by his sister Kylee, who travelled from Junee to Newcastle to surprise him on the final day of last year’s walk—completing the final 5km by his side.

Moved by the spirit and solidarity of the group, Kylee has signed on for the full 150km trek this year.

“We are both big supporters of the Mark Hughes Foundation and can’t wait to join the Big Three Trek 5.0 to raise money for awareness, research and resourcing as the search for a cure continues,” Jason said.

“We are always motivated by the courage Rick showed throughout his battle. He is greatly missed by family and friends every day.”

Jason, who also serves as CEO of the Murrumbidgee Turf Club and is an active member of the Wagga Wagga Liquor Accord, has the full support of the Riverina Police District.

“Jason works closely with Riverina PD to ensure major events at the MTC run as smoothly as possible, with minimal impact on the community and police resources through the implementation of effective harm minimisation strategies,” the Riverina Police District said in a statement.

“Riverina Police District is proud to support Jason in his efforts to raise awareness of, and funds for, brain cancer research and support.”

Also lacing up their boots for the first time are Michael Diggins, his son Rhys, and Michael’s sister Lisa, who are walking in memory of their son, brother and nephew, Zach Diggins.

Zach was just 12 when he was diagnosed with a rare and incurable grade 4 astrocytoma—a tumour wrapped around his spinal cord. He was given just 18 months to live.

But Zach defied the odds, living another six years and discovering a passion for music after being forced to give up his first love—football.
At just 18 years old, five weeks after his birthday, Zach was told his tumour had returned.

“After another surgery and more radiation followed by a tough rehab, Zach was doing okay,” Michael said.

“But a few months later, Zach became very sick and it was discovered the tumour had spread to the base of his brain stem. Another round of radiation was only a band-aid, and our beautiful boy lost his battle in October 2022.”

Michael Diggins (centre) with his sister, Lisa (left), and his son, Rhys (right) | Photo: Supplied

Guided by Zach’s memory, his family is channelling their loss and pain into purpose.

“I’m gearing up and making a difference by fundraising for a cause that’s close to my heart,” Michael said.

As these brave Junee locals prepare to walk 150 kilometres in just three days, their steps carry not only the weight of physical endurance—but also the legacy of two young men whose lives continue to inspire a movement for change.

Fuelled by love, loss and determination, the families are also raffling off more than $10,000 in prizes to support their fundraising efforts—with all proceeds going to the Mark Hughes Foundation.

Here’s how you can support them:

• Buy a raffle ticket: rafflelink.com.au/bigthree
• Support their fundraising pages:
  • Jason & Kylee: gofundraise.com.au/page/JasonKyle-46226432
  • Michael Diggins: gofundraise.com.au/page/TrekkingforAchyman