The Team
Our Athletes & Ambassadors
They push their bodies to the limit so others don't have to face hardship alone. Meet the people who turn pain into purpose for Western Australian families.
Committed Year-Round
Our Athletes
Founding Director
Ethan Stirrat
Ethan is the face of, and founding director of Hurt to Help. Not only is he doing a mountain of work behind the scenes, but also leading the way in the Hurt aspect. Ethan is on the Ultra Marathon circuit of WA, consistently competing in gruelling events and pushing his body to — and sometimes even beyond — the limits, to lead the fight to help families in need.
Treasurer
Brodie Chalwell
Brodie is the Treasurer of Hurt to Help and a dedicated athlete proudly representing H2H. He has completed endurance events such as the Busselton 70.3 Ironman and the Bin 2 Bin Marathon. In 2026, he plans to take on one of his biggest challenges yet — the Solo Rottnest Channel Swim. Brodie's commitment to athletic endurance and making a difference embodies the spirit of Hurt to Help.
Athlete
Jamie Oborne
Jamie is an ultra marathon runner from Karratha. Like Ethan, Jamie is consistently competing in WA Ultra Marathon events, including the Red Dirt Backyard Ultra, where he completed a staggering 32 laps (215km). Jamie will be continuing his competing on the circuit, and we are stoked to have him represent us.
Athlete
Simon Bennett
Another fellow Ultra Marathon WA competitor, Hurt to Help is privileged to have Simon on board as an athlete. Simon's highlights include a second place in Birdy's Backyard Ultra, where he completed an unimaginable 58 laps — 58 hours and 388km. We can't wait to see what is next for Simon.
Athlete
Shane Aris
Shane is a 32-year-old ultrarunner and proud Hurt to Help athlete. An Emergency Services Officer at BHP's Jimblebar site, he started running in 2023 and has rapidly risen, completing five ultramarathons with standout results including 2nd at CRU 100km and 4th at the Feral Pig 100 miler. In 2026, Shane aims to run an ultramarathon every month to raise funds for Hurt to Help.
One-Off Representatives
Our Ambassadors
2024 Rottnest Channel Swim Duo
Joel Hooper & Kaidee Arnold
Joel and Kaidee took part in the 2024 Rottnest Channel Swim, attempting the 19.7km open water crossing in support of Hurt to Help. Unfortunately, due to terrible weather conditions the race had to be abandoned — but not before Joel and Kaidee completed 12km in extremely difficult circumstances.
2024 Herdy's Backyard Ultramarathon
Ben Goldie & Ike Bunn
Ben and Ike took part in the 2024 Herdy's Backyard Ultra in support of Hurt to Help — where competitors complete a 6.71km loop on the hour for as many hours as possible. Ike completed 12 loops (80km) before his right knee gave out. Ben pushed himself to 24 loops (160km) and such was his effort he ended up in hospital. True dedication to the cause.
Feral Pig 100K Ultramarathon
Ewan George
On Saturday 2 November, Ewan George took on the Feral Pig 100K Ultramarathon representing Hurt to Help. This was Ewan's first ultramarathon, having only completed one marathon previously. He showed enormous strength and resilience, battling physical pain, vomiting, dehydration and delirium to finish in 18:45:54 — a great result for a debut ultra.
Avon Descent 2024
Todd Cresswell & Leigh Slomp
In August 2024, Hurt to Help was represented by Todd Cresswell and Leigh Slomp in the Avon Descent — a 124km boat race just outside of Perth. These gentlemen very kindly promoted Hurt to Help throughout the event. Unfortunately they took the "Hurt to Help" motto a bit too literally, suffering a big crash and some nasty injuries. We cannot thank them enough and wish them well in their recovery.
Busselton Ironman 2024
Will O'Keefe
Hurt to Help was represented by Will O'Keefe at the Busselton Ironman on Sunday 1 December 2024. Will completed the full Ironman in a very impressive time of 10:10:15. He prepared extremely well for a race of this proportion and we are proud to have been represented at such a high calibre. Big things to come from Will in the triathlon space.
The Delirious West, Ultraseries — April 2025
Melissa Welsh
Melissa has long been passionate about the outdoors and fitness. After completing a marathon in 2017 and her first 50km ultra in 2021, she has used each race as a space for personal growth. In April 2025, Melissa took on her biggest race yet — the Delirious West 100-miler, running non-stop along the Bibbulmun Track from Denmark to Albany — completing the event in an outstanding 44 hours and 50 minutes.
Mandurah to Karratha Ride — September 2024
Craig Baker
In September 2024, Craig Baker set off on his ride from Mandurah to Karratha in support of his great mate and Hurt to Help recipient Julian Le Plastrier. Craig completed the ride in 14 days and still looked fresh as a daisy. Sadly, Julian passed away in May 2025 after a battle with bowel cancer. We honour Craig's incredible effort and Julian's memory.
Our Ambassadors
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Joel Hooper and Kaidee Arnold
Event: 2024 Rottnest Channel Swim Duo
Joel and Kaidee took part in the 2024 Rottnest Channel Swim attempting to complete the 19.7km open water swim in support of Hurt to Help. Unfortunately due to terrible weather conditions the race had to be abandoned but not before Joel and Kaidee managed to complete 12km in the difficult swimming circumstances.
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Ben Goldie and Ike Bunn
Event: 2024 Herdy’s Backyard Ultramarathon
Ben and Ike took part in the 2024 Herdy’s Backyard Ultra in support of Hurt to Help. A Backyard Ultramarathon is where competitiors complete a 6.71km loop on the hour for as many hours as possible. It is a test of physical and mental endurance and both boys pushed their body and minds to the limit.
Ike was able to complete 12 loops/hours (80km) before unfortunately his right knee blew out rendering unable to go any further.
Ben managed 24 loops/hours (160km) and pushed himself so hard he ended up in hospital as a reward for his efforts.
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Ewan George
Event: Feral Pig 100K Ultramarathon
On Saturday November 2nd Ewan George took on the Feral Pig 100K Ultramarathon, representing Hurt to Help.
The weather gods were on their side as cool overcast conditions made for a good day of running. This was Ewan’s first ultramarathon, having only completed one marathon (42.2km) previously. Ewan showed enormous strength and resilience as he battled much adversity on the track. His ability to push through physical pain, vomiting, dehydration and delirium was inspirational to watch. Despite his troubles Ewan finished strongly with a time of 18:45:54, a great effort for his first ultramarathon.
Big thanks to the support crew of friends and family, and to @ultraserieswa for another expertly run event. -
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Todd Cresswell and Leigh Slomp
Event: Avon Descent 2024
In August 2024 Hurt to Help was lucky enough to be represented by Todd Cresswell and Leigh Slomp in the Avon Descent, a 124km boat race just outside of Perth.
These gentlemen very kindly promoted Hurt to Help in the lead up and throughout the event. Unfortunately they took the “Hurt” to Help motto a bit too literally suffering a big crash and some pretty nasty injuries.
We cannot thank both Todd and Leigh enough for their support and promotion of Hurt to Help and wish them the best in their recovery. -
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Will O'Keefe
Event: Busselton Iron Man 2024
Hurt to Help was represented by Will O’Keefe at the Busselton Iron Man on the Sunday the 1st of December 2024.
Will O’Keeffe completed the full Ironman in a very impressive time of 10:10:15. Will has prepared extremely well for a race of this proportion so we are stoked to be represented at such a high calibre. Big things to come from Will in the triathlon space, we look forward to seeing what he can produce in the future!
Huge achievements that you should be very proud of! -
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Melissa Welsh
Event: The Delirious West, Ultraseries April 2025.
Melissa has long been passionate about the outdoors and fitness, with running becoming a constant in her life - first as a flexible form of exercise, and later as a way to find clarity during major life changes. After completing a marathon in 2017, she was inspired to push further, leading to her first 50km ultra in 2021. Since then, she's completed multiple ultra marathons, using each as a space for personal growth.
In April 2025, Melissa took on her biggest race yet: the Delirious West 100-miler, running non-stop along the Bibbulmun Track from Denmark to Albany. Melissa completed the event in 44 hours and 50 minutes.
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Craig Baker
Event: Mandurah to Karratha Ride
In September 2024, Craig Baker set off on his ride from Mandurah to Karratha in support of his great mate and Hurt to Help recipient Julian Le Plastrier. Craig completed the ride in 14 days and still looked fresh as a daisy.
Sadly, Julian passed away in May 2025 after a battle with bowel cancer.
