Far East Consortium's charity push in Australia’s biggest stair climb challenge
Australia’s first four-tower vertical stair climb challenge is set to debut in 2025, with Towers 4 Change aiming to raise over $400,000 – or $100,000 per tower – at Far East Consortium's West Side Place precinct in the Melbourne CBD.
As Australia’s largest stair climb charity event, and with the highest tower exceeding 80 levels and 1400 stairs, Towers 4 Change not only offers a physical challenge but also provides a powerful way for individuals and groups to ‘Step Up For Charity’ and raise money to support a charity that they connect with.
Each of the four towers at West Side Place will be dedicated to raising much-needed funds for a different and deserving cause, including building homes for women and children escaping family violence, supporting those living with life-altering conditions, and vital medical research.
- Tower 1: Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
- Tower 2: Friedreich Ataxia Research Association (fara Australia)
- Tower 3: Good Friday Appeal
- Tower 4: The Victorian Homeless Fund
Lauren Sheldon, Director of Marketing and Sales at Far East Consortium, said the developer is excited to contribute to Melbourne’s vibrant event scene and raise awareness for these worthy causes.
"This four-tower climb exemplifies our commitment to fostering a vibrant community. By bringing people together for this unique event, we aim to benefit everyone involved, from residents to participants and beyond,” Sheldon said.
EVENT DETAILS
What | Towers 4 Change
Where | West Side Place, 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Date | Sunday 30th March 2025
Time | 7am – 1pm
ABOUT THE CHARITY PARTNERS
Good Friday Appeal
Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has been dedicated to fundraising for The Royal Children’s Hospital so that it can continue to provide world-class care for children in Victoria and beyond. Funds from the Good Friday Appeal go towards ground-breaking research, state-of-the-art equipment and technology, education and family-centred care programs. GFA funds over 28 different projects each year - some are across multiple years, others one-off purchases.
“We are thrilled to be selected as a charity partner for the West Side Place Towers 4 Change, a unique and challenging event," Rebecca Cowan, Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal, said.
"These funds will have a profound impact on funding state-of-the-art equipment, research, training, and patient- and family-centred care programs to continue the world-class care provided by The Royal Children's Hospital."
Friedreich Ataxia Research Association (fara Australia)
fara raises funds for research into treatments and a cure for Friedreich Ataxia (FA). FA is a rare genetic and progressive neuro-muscular disorder that is typically diagnosed in children or teens. It leads to loss of muscle coordination, fatigue, vision impairment, hearing loss, slurred speech, and then a serious heart condition which in many cases turns fatal by the mid-thirties. One in every 30,000 in Australia is affected. One in 90 people are carriers. There is currently no cure and no approved treatment in Australia.
Brad Hyde, Chief Executive Officer of fara Australia, says Friedreich Ataxia robs you of muscle strength, mobility and the ability to do even the everyday things we might take for granted.
"At fara, we are a small, rare disease charity with no government funding, raising funds for FA medical research. Being a partner of West Side Place Towers 4 Change will deliver the single greatest boost to awareness and fundraising beyond our own community. Every step climbers take will Lend Some Muscle to those living with FA and get us closer to finding that cure.”
Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) supports vital research across the country that will help better detect, treat and prevent ovarian cancer. The OCRF is Australia’s largest independent funder of ovarian cancer medical research. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal women’s cancer with a five-year survival rate that has barely changed in decades, languishing at under 50 per cent. Addressing health disparity and funding inequity in cancer research is fundamental to achieving higher survival rates for ovarian cancer.
“West Side Place Towers 4 Change is a great new event that symbolises the heights we can achieve when we unite together for a cause, " Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation CEO Robin Penty says.
"Every step up, and every dollar raised, will directly support our vision of a healthy future for those impacted by ovarian cancer. This challenge is a powerful statement of hope, resilience, and the belief that each of us can make a difference. We are deeply grateful to the climbers and supporters helping OCRF achieve a step-change for women’s cancers, both figuratively and literally!"
The Victorian Homeless Fund
The Victorian Homeless Fund (VHF) is a Melbourne-based charity committed to providing safe and stable long-term housing for women and children escaping family violence. By building homes on unused residential land, the VHF offers families a fresh start and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. At its core, the VHF believes that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
Colleen May, Victorian Homeless Fund Chair, says domestic violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in Australia, and it's such a significant problem, it can't be solved by one group.
"If individually we all give a little, then collectively, we can change people’s lives. Every home we build is about extending a helping hand to those most in need, and providing a family with more than just a home—they gain hope and a future."
