BROTHERS Ciaran and Danny Fountain fulfilled a cause close to heart as they tackled the gruelling Buckley’s 24-Hour Adventure Race and completed the 120km course – raising $1200 for The Bridge Youth + Family Services, supporting young people across Seymour, Mitchell Shire and surrounding communities.
It was a homecoming, and a commitment to the Seymour and Mitchell Shire communities that helped shape their young adult lives.
Separated by 15 years of living on different continents, Ciaran (now based in Puckapunyal) and Danny (living in Craigieburn) took on their first endurance race together as a way to rebuild their bond — and to give back to the region their family calls home.
Held on December 6 and 7 in Lorne on the Great Ocean Road, Buckley’s 24 is a classic non-stop, 24-hour adventure race involving trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and other surprise disciplines, designed to test physical strength, navigation skills and mental resilience.
Teams of two or four must navigate their way unsupported through more than 120km of rugged terrain — with the full course only revealed to competitors hours before the start.
For Danny, an air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic completing his electrical trade, this was a new kind of challenge. For Ciaran, an ADF Artillery soldier with exposure to youth mental health support and resilience coaching, it was a chance to use his skills for something meaningful.
The brothers grew up moving between the UK and Germany due to family and military life, changing schools every few years and learning early what resilience and adaptability truly looked like.
Danny later moved to Australia in 2010, while Ciaran remained in the UK, serving with the Army until age 32. Both eventually found their way back to Victoria because of a powerful family connection.
Their parents have lived in Seymour for more than 15 years. Danny and their sister Leannda spent much of their young adult life in Seymour.
Since returning to Australia in 2024, Ciaran has also embedded himself in the area, supporting local charities and becoming involved with the Seymour Football Netball Club.
Supporting a youth organisation like The Bridge Youth + Family Services with a strong presence across Seymour, Wallan, Kilmore and surrounding communities felt like a natural choice.
The brothers were drawn to The Bridge Youth + Family Services because of its values, its strong focus on safety, and its reputation for empowering young people across the region.
