Murray Bridge support worker Kai Martin will tackle 325km ultra-marathon to raise money domestic violence survivors

How deep into this trek do you reckon you’d get? Kai Martin plans to take about 58 hours to finish his mission to raise $25,000 for domestic violence support.

A young Murray Bridge support worker is about to put his body and mind to the ultimate test in the name of protecting families from the scourge of domestic violence.

Kai Martin, 26, has become a face of action against family violence and this week will run a 325 kilometre ultra-marathon, to raise $25,000 to support victims of – and help stamp out – domestic violence.

He is aiming to run the 200 miles non-stop, even preparing to have no sleep to get the job done in an estimated 55-58 hours.

Domestic violence awareness ambassador Kai Martin is preparing to run 325km in one go to raise money for the Murray Bridge Regional Collaboration on Violence against Women and Children. Picture: James Dawson

Mr Martin, a keen endurance runner who loves pushing himself to the limit, said he had been inspired to do something “outrageous” to raise awareness for an issue close to his heart. Picture: James Dawson

After extensive training and preparation, he will tackle the Lavender Federation Trail from Clare to Murray Bridge – setting off at 3am on Friday and aiming to get to Murray Bridge by Sunday, May 25 between 1-3pm.

Mr Martin, a keen endurance runner who loves pushing himself to the limit, said he had been inspired to do something “outrageous” to raise awareness for an issue close to his heart.

Through the good guidance of his parents - one a doctor and the other a therapist - Mr Martin said he grew up acutely aware of social issues around him.

While he acknowledges his good fortune of growing up in a safe environment, realising that wasn’t always the case for family members who have experienced past trauma has had a lasting impact on him.

He plans to tackle the entire Lavender Federation Trail in one go. Picture: James Dawson

Mr Martin said he developed an understanding of the pain caused to family members by domestic violence from a young age and by the time he was 15 he was planning White Ribbon days, a guest speaker at vigils and actively campaigned for action against DV.

And, that empathy he developed for those in vunderable situations has seen Mr Martin forge a career as a support worker, where he sees the impact even more.

Since 2018 he has been the chair of the Murray Bridge Domestic Violence Awareness Group – and admits it is an unusual position for a 21 year old man.

Kai Martin will be running the Lavender Federation Trail from Friday, finishing May 25 at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge.

As of Sunday, Mr Martin has raised almost $19,000 and said the support has touched him. Picture: James Dawson

He said males – not exclusively, but overwhelmingly – were the perpetrators of violence, but females are left to lead the fight against it.

“Anyone can be a perpetrator and anyone can be a victim, domestic violence knows no age or gender, but the statistics show mostly men are the perpetrators,” he said.

“So it should be the men that are standing up and saying, no, let’s make a change, and let’s do something about it.”

As of Sunday, Mr Martin has raised almost $19,000 and said the support has touched him.

“The community obviously cares about this and needs this, and I’m just so thankful that it’s happening,” he said.

You can donate to Kai’s Run for DV here.