Hi, I’m Omar de Silva, Chair of Little Big Steps - and to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, I’ve set myself a challenge that’s bigger than anything I’ve ever attempted.

On 2 October, I’ll be climbing the height of Mount Everest at Melbourne’s 1,000 Steps.

That means nearly 9,000 metres of elevation and more than 15 hours of climbing in a single day. It will test my endurance, my grit, and my determination - but that’s exactly the point.

Why? Because every day, kids with cancer face a challenge far greater than mine.

Through Little Big Steps, we bring exercise medicine programs into children’s hospitals across Australia - helping kids stay strong, recover faster, and hold on to their childhood during treatment.

This is deeply important to me because I’ve seen first-hand how much difference these programs make: the smile when a child takes steps again, the relief on a parent’s face when they see progress, and the confidence kids gain from moving their bodies. Exercise doesn’t just heal muscles; it builds hope.

Our Goal:

We’re aiming to raise $88,000 - a nice tie in to Mt Everest.

How your donation will be used:

Funding specialist physiotherapists in hospitals across Australia.

Providing exercise equipment for children in treatment.

Expanding programs so that every child with cancer has access