Taking countless steps for a better future for kids
He's traversed Australia to grow his career' and now Rockhampton engineer Matt Arnold is doing one more mighty lap – fundraising for country's most vulnerable.
The CQUniversity alumnus is running in the Bravehearts' 777 Marathon – seven marathons in seven days across Queensland.
And CQUniversity will be supporting every step' sponsoring his fundraising and cheering him on as he runs all week this week.
While the huge fundraiser was initially planned across a national footprint last year' the rescheduled series kicked off on Monday 28 June 2021 with a Toowoomba marathon - and more changes to schedule as current lockdowns impact events.
The event is crucial fundraiser for the nation's leading child protection organisation' and also Australia's biggest marathon event.
And for Matt' it's a chance to take his determination to the next level' and prove how persistence can transform lives.
"I've been endurance running for a few years' but this is a chance to test what I'm actually capable of' and to help others as I do'"
Matt explained.
"I've had to raise a minimum $10'000 to participate' and CQUniversity's support really helps me go above and beyond for a great cause."
Matt has always tried to push his limits' and his decision to do a Bachelor of Engineering at CQUniversity was part of that.
Originally from eastern Victoria' Matt and his wife Carolyn have travelled the country for work for the past 15 years.
"I was working as a draftsman in construction' or as a labourer' and Carolyn is a nurse' so that took us to some pretty remote locations' and some big projects'"
he explained.
Working closely with engineers' Matt realised his passion for engineering' and in 2014 the couple moved to from Bunbury' WA' to Rockhampton' so Matt could study with CQUniversity.
It was a big shift' but a good one – the couple have made Rockhampton home ever since' after Matt got a local civil engineer role with international consultancy GHD' and Carolyn began managing Rockhampton's Royal Flying Doctor base.
"The plan was just to live in Rocky while I studied' but I got the job offer before I even graduated – I walked out of my last class' and straight into work!"
he laughed.
But it's Matt's experience across the country that made up his mind to take on fundraising for Bravehearts.
"I've worked all over Australia' from north to south' east to west' and I've witnessed a lot of terrible stuff – and especially when you see kids in bad situations' you feel a bit helpless'"
he explained.
"While it's hard to do something yourself' I'm proud to support a great organisation that helps abused and sexually assaulted children to live safely' and get a fresh start at life."
"Many children who are abused are just waiting for someone to listen to them to – and Bravehearts has been listening for more than 20 years."
And CQUniversity is chipping in' pledging $1000 to help the important cause.
The effort is part of CQUniversity's ongoing commitment to sponsoring and supporting local people' events and causes across its national footprint of 25 campuses and locations.
To follow Matt's progress' or support his fundraising' visit his Facebook page: facebook.com/Happy.Running.Matt.Arnold/
