Aussie comedian to take on challenging Kokoda Track hike
Australian comedian Merrick Watts is just days away from embarking on a hike along the gruelling Kokoda Track — a 96-kilometre journey through Papua New Guinea's mountainous jungle — to raise funds for special forces veterans and their families.
The SAS star will be joined by a team of Australians who will retrace the footsteps of WWII Diggers who fought against Japanese forces in one of the most pivotal campaigns in the nation's military history.
For the group, it's more than a physical challenge — it's a mission to shine a light on the ongoing hardships many veterans and their families face long after their service ends.
Every year, around 5,000 veterans leave the Australian Defence Force, and many struggle with the transition to civilian life.
Mental health issues, financial hardship, and limited access to urgent support remain critical issues.
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According to the Department of Veterans' Affairs, more than 30% of contemporary veterans report high levels of psychological distress, and suicide rates among ex-serving personnel remain significantly higher than the national average.
The funds raised from the trek will support the Commando Welfare Trust, a charity established in 2010 to provide a perpetual safety net for Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) soldiers, veterans, and their families.
The Trust offers emergency relief and long-term financial assistance where government systems fall short.
In the past 12 months alone, the Commando Welfare Trust has delivered more than $1 million in direct aid, covering essentials like school fees, urgent medical treatments, emergency accommodation, and mortgage payments — including support for a veteran who was left paralysed after service.
Donate to Merrick's fundraiser here.
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