Nedd’s Record Run: Turning a moment into a movement

When you think of a charity fundraising campaign, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Traditionally, it’s been about maximising donations, urging donors to dig deep to hit an (often modest) financial target. At We Are Mobilise, a homelessness charity looking to create innovative solutions to solve homelessness since 2016, we have a different story. In 2022, alongside Nedd Brockmann and the creative minds at Bursty, we witnessed firsthand the impact of flipping this narrative on its head thanks to Nedd’s Record Run.  

Today, you may know Nedd as an author, entrepreneur, or just someone who keeps showing up on your Instagram. Or as the loveable bloke with the blonde mullet who captured Australia’s heart during that run. But in 2021, he was an electrician looking to do good, and he contacted me with an ambitious goal: to run across Australia and raise $1 million for homelessness. While his running feats are impressive, it is Nedd’s unwavering determination to push his own mental and physical limits and inspire others that stands out the most.  

Once Nedd set his audacious goal, we at Mobilise, alongside the Bursty team, brought the campaign to life. Working with Bursty’s founders, James Ward and Adrian Goold, we embraced a different vision for fundraising. We weren’t going to focus on sad stories pulling at heartstrings. Bursty, like Nedd, are eternal optimists, focusing on positivity and the power of stories and collaboration. The goal was to galvanise Australia, encouraging participation and collective action towards a common cause.  

The results were extraordinary. Nedd raised over $2 million, significantly surpassing the target he excitedly told me about on the phone 18 months earlier. The campaign reached over 50 million people across the globe, with 200+ articles and support from some rather famous faces, including Hamish Blake, Ash Barty, Jimmy Barnes, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This unique approach—focusing on opportunities rather than difficulties—epitomises how we strive to make an impact at Mobilise. 
Did I mention that all of this was achieved with $0 in media spend? 

The funds raised from over 35,000 donors in that campaign has changed not only our journey at Mobilise but also the lives of many others. As a movement, we have focused building an organisation that is doing impact differently, developing a team of like-minded  young people to positively change the lives of countless others. 

Picture: Gregg Porteous

Nine months into launching our direct giving programs, primarily funded by Nedd’s run, we’ve already heard some incredible stories from our participants. These programs provide resources directly to those facing homelessness, from assisting single mothers with bills to helping people secure their first homes. Focusing on developing sustainable impact, with support from organisations like the Paul Ramsay Foundation and PNI Foundation, and continued backing from Bursty and Nedd, we’re rolling out new initiatives to meet unmet needs.  

Our goal is to transform 10,000 lives facing homelessness by 2030. It’s an ambitious target, but as Nedd has shown us, we must be brave enough to dream big and disciplined enough to achieve those dreams. Nedd and Bursty continue to innovate in creating impact, as seen with his ongoing commitment via donations to Mobilise from the sale of each copy of Nedd’s autobiography, Showing Up, and each bottle of Nedd’s Milk, which just hit the shelves of Coles alongside Woolworths & Ampol across Australia.  

I’d like to call on the power of business and in particular agency to be unlocked for good. As a charity, but also our industry, we need to unlock the generosity of everyday Australians to help us achieve our goals, and that includes business.  

Through our journey, we’ve learned (and seen first-hand) that collaboration unlocks more potential than going it alone. As the old adage goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”   

Addressing societal issues requires new approaches and solutions, developed collectively. Together as a nation, we can be part of the change that we all desire. 

To learn more about Nedd and Mobilise, watch Runn which the team at Bursty have produced, premiering on Fox Sports and on demand on Kayo from July 16th. 

P.S It’s a brilliant movie and I have no doubt you’ll enjoy it! 

Noah Yang is the founder and CEO of We Are Mobilise.