The Mark Webber Challenge is a charity event supporting the Mark Webber Foundation. The 2008 Challenge was again a fantastic experience. The Challenge has established itself as one of the most intense adventure races in the world. Telstra employee Jacinta Worland and I, partnered to compete in the Ambassadors Cup. Teamwork was paramount as we traversed a wide variety of terrain including Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake and the cliffs of Fortescue Bay. It was great to see that Team Telstra won the Van Diemen Cup! Mark Comer, Phil Barrett, Keith Mearns and Richard Palmer defended their title in the corporate teams of four.

Many leading athletes participated along with celebrity guests and corporate teams. It was fantastic to be part of the event and to have the opportunity to support such a committed Australian like Mark Webber, who despite living in the UK, sets a great example by contributing to Australian charities year in and year out. Visit the Mark Webber Challenge site to see the full wrap-up of the event at www.markwebberchallenge.com

You can also read how Telstra helped facilitate the immediate response to Mark Webber when he was injured at Now we are talking

Soon building works will commence at the Melbourne Hope School located in the south east of Tianjin city, thanks to the generous contributions of our supporters and the riders. Currently there are 486 students in grades 1 – 6 at the school and they are very excited that over the coming months six grade 1 -3 classrooms will be built. The Project Hope Charity ride was a fantastic adventure, however the riders and I are really excited about seeing the funds raised from the ride benefitting the children of China. We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of the buildings and the other schools we are supporting.