160km Ruck for Harvey
My 2-year-old nephew Harvey has been diagnosed with an incredibly rare and devastating disease: POLR3A leukodystrophy.
This condition affects the brain and nervous system, causing a heartbreaking combination of symptoms — progressive difficulty with movement (ataxia, spasticity), intellectual disability, abnormal tooth development, short stature, delayed puberty, myopia, and trouble swallowing. There is no cure, and tragically, children with this diagnosis are often given only a few short years to live.
But Harvey is not like most kids. He’s a fighter in every sense of the word.
Despite having only one working lung, Harvey somehow manages to go harder than most 2-year-olds. He refuses to be defined by his limitations. He’s faced challenges that would break many adults and he keeps pushing forward with strength, energy, and spirit.
He’s backed by an incredible team: his brave 8-year-old brother Hunter, and their devoted mum, Tiffany. As a single mother, Tiffany has faced the heartbreaking reality of Harvey’s illness while doing everything in her power to provide for her boys. She has been unable to work full-time due to the constant care Harvey requires, placing a huge financial strain on the family and adding another layer of stress to an already unimaginable situation.
This fundraiser is about giving Harvey, Hunter, and Tiffany a chance to simply be a family and make joyful memories together. We want to send them on a special holiday to the Gold Coast where they can enjoy the theme parks, beaches, and everything a magical family trip should offer.
To help make this happen, I’ll be rucking the entire 160km Ultra Trail Australia course in May 2026.
Rucking means walking long distances with extra weight and it’s symbolic of the burden Harvey carries every single day. Due to injury, I can’t run but I can walk. And I’ll walk every step in honour of Harvey’s resilience.
This challenge is open to everyone and the UTA offers distances for all fitness levels. Run. Walk. Ruck. Can’t make it to the actual event? You can join in from home! Choose a distance and get moving!
Join me in supporting something bigger than ourselves.
And if you can, please donate. Every contribution brings this dream closer for Harvey and his family.
Let’s show them they’re not alone and that Harvey’s fight inspires all of us!
@ruckforharvey on Instagram
#ruckforharvey
Organizer
Shannon Mahoney
Organizer
Wallsend, NSW