Communities across the New England region are being encouraged to get behind a major fundraising campaign as endurance athlete Scotty Hingston runs through the area as part of a 1,000-kilometre journey from Brisbane to Newcastle.
The Run Beyond Limits campaign, supporting spinal cord injury charity Buildcare, will pass through Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Inverell, Armidale and surrounding communities between 20 and 26 June, giving residents the opportunity to take part in a cause aimed at improving the lives of Australians living with spinal cord injuries.
Covering more than 80 kilometres a day, Scotty will visit regional centres and towns across New England, meeting locals, sharing Buildcare’s story and raising awareness of the challenges faced by people living with spinal cord injuries.
“Run Beyond Limits is about people, not kilometres,” Scotty said.
“Every town we visit has an opportunity to become part of something bigger. Whether someone joins us for a few hundred metres, comes out to cheer, donates, or simply shares the message, they’re helping create awareness and support for people living with spinal cord injuries.”
The campaign aims to raise funds for Buildcare’s work in accessible housing, advocacy and research, while highlighting the important role regional communities play in supporting Australians affected by spinal cord injury.
Buildcare co-founder Jason Apps said regional communities understood the value of coming together to support those facing life-changing challenges.
“When I had my accident, I was 20 years old and a long way from home. The support I received from my community was everything,” Apps said.
“Spinal cord injury can touch anyone. A neighbour, a teammate, a family member. This campaign is about giving communities an opportunity to rally behind a cause that can genuinely change lives.
“Every town Scotty runs through is a chance for people to stand up and say they see you, and they are with you. That kind of support matters more than most people realise.”
Apps founded Buildcare after sustaining a life-changing spinal cord injury in a snowboarding accident in Canada in 2016. Today, the charity supports Australians living with spinal cord injuries through accessible housing initiatives, advocacy and support for research into a cure.
Scotty previously ran more than 900 kilometres from Melbourne to Newcastle in 2025, raising $135,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation and brain cancer research. The New England leg of Run Beyond Limits forms a significant part of his latest challenge, with some of the campaign’s longest and most demanding stages taking place across the region.
Residents, schools, sporting clubs, businesses and community groups are encouraged to welcome Scotty as he passes through and help raise awareness of the cause.
Run Beyond Limits – New England Route
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 20 June | Tenterfield |
| 21 June | Glen Innes |
| 22 June | Inverell |
| 23 June | Warialda |
| 26 June | Armidale |
Community event details and meeting locations will be announced throughout the journey.
Like what you’re reading? Support New England Times by making a small contribution today and help us keep delivering local news paywall-free. Donate now