Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge 2026 passes $1 million for people experiencing homelessness
On 24 October 2026, day six of Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge, people across Australia pushed the total past $1 million for We Are Mobilise’s Direct Giving programs. The challenge ends on 28 October, and there’s still time to get closer to the $2 million goal.
What is Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge?
Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge is a 10-day fundraiser for people experiencing homelessness, created by 2026 Young Australian of the Year Nedd Brockmann and We Are Mobilise. Participants choose something that makes them uncomfortable, do it every day from 19 to 28 October, and raise money while they’re at it. This year, Sam Flannery swam for 24 hours straight at the University of Queensland, Chad Aziz took on 10 Ironmans in 10 days, Scott Young set out to run 1,200km from South Australia to Sydney, and Demi Sonneman committed to 500 wall balls a day.
We Are Mobilise is an Australian homelessness charity that provides direct financial support, like rent and bond assistance, to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness through a national network of more than 50 charity partners. Every dollar raised through the challenge goes to those programs.
What $1 million means
Every $36 funds a night of housing, so $1 million is more than 27,000 nights of people sleeping somewhere safe instead of in a car, on a friend’s couch or on the street.
It also says something bigger. According to the 2021 Census, around 122,000 people in Australia were experiencing homelessness. Thousands of people facing their fears for 10 days is a country saying out loud that it doesn’t accept that number as normal.
The money means we can help more people like Jenny. Jenny was a full-time project manager. When her contract ended, she couldn’t find another role, and ended up sleeping in her car with her cat. She kept applying, and finally landed a job and a rental, but she couldn’t afford the bond until her first pay. Mobilise Kickstarter, our rent and bond assistance program, paid her bond and rent within days. Three months later, she was working full time.
In her words: “I feel safe, comfortable, confident, regained my dignity, and can pay my way again.”
The last day, and what comes after
Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge 2026 wraps up on 28 October. Last year’s challenge raised $1.6 million, and every donation made before it closes helps this year go further.
The challenge is almost over, but the work it funds isn’t. Whether you’re an individual, a business or a charity, get in touch with us to find out how you can stay part of ending homelessness in Australia.
Donate before the challenge ends
Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge closes on 28 October, so now is the moment to get behind the people taking it on. You can keep donating after the challenge ends, but every dollar given before 28 October counts towards the $2 million goal.