Under clear blue skies and the gentle warmth of a perfect autumn day, the City of Canterbury-Bankstown came together on Thursday 16 April 2026 for the Mayor’s 24-Hour Challenge for Mental Health – an event that proved to be as meaningful as it was demanding.
Held at The Crest Athletics Track at Georges Hall in Sydney’s southwest, the 24-hour relay-style challenge brought together participants from all walks of life, to walk and run continuously in support of youth mental health.
The format was simple but powerful: keep moving, day and night, as a visible sign that no one should face their struggles alone.
As part of the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) team, this writer experienced first-hand the strong sense of unity that carried the event.
Teams rotated consistently, ensuring the track was never empty.
Whether in the afternoon sun or the early hours of the morning, participants showed up with the same determination and purpose.
A huge driving force behind the event, Erin Turner is pictured here with Campsie PAC’s Gandhi Sindyan.
The initiative, led by Mayor Bilal El-Hayek, centred on what he described as “community spirit, care and compassion.”
Reflecting on the strong turnout, he acknowledged the hundreds who gathered to launch the challenge and the many others who supported the cause in different ways.
At the heart of the event was a deeply personal story.
It began with Charlotte O’Brien – a bubbly, intelligent 12-year-old whose life was tragically cut short in 2024 following prolonged bullying.
Yet her legacy continues to resonate through her own simple but powerful message: everybody matters, every day.
Her parents, Mat and Kelly O’Brien (pictured in the feature image with Mayor El-Hayek) have since channelled their grief into meaningful advocacy, ensuring that Charlotte’s story leads to lasting change.
Their admirable work through Charlotte’s Wish has become a driving force behind initiatives supporting vulnerable young people across the community.
NSW Police were huge supporters of the event.
Mat O’Brien addressed the gathering prior to the commencement of the athletics, thanking organisers and participants and describing Bilal El-Hayek (whom AMUST ‘spies’ witnessed pounding the track lap after lap during various sessions of the 24 hour fundraiser!) as “the Mayor who cares.”
His words set an emotional tone for what followed, with many in attendance visibly moved by the story of a kind and compassionate young girl whose legacy now inspires action.
Among those present were families who have experienced their own loss, as well as first responder team members, adding further weight and meaning to the occasion.
Importantly, every dollar raised through the challenge will go towards funding the Charlotte’s Wish Scholarships, delivered through the Step Into Action Foundation.
These scholarships focus on early intervention, particularly for students transitioning from primary to high school, combining physical activity, emotional support and tailored therapy.
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