Toowoomba man smashes fundraising goals for Youngcare

THE man who crossed the Simpson Desert for charity last year says he has been overwhelmed by the support received for his latest endeavour.

THE man who crossed the mighty Simpson Desert for charity last year says he has been overwhelmed by the support received for his family's latest fundraising endeavour.

Brendan Mayles and his wife Kate smashed all the targets they had set for Youngcare's Giving Day campaign, which will wrap up at 8am today.

As of 4pm yesterday, the campaign has raised over $16,000 from more than 40 donors.

Mr Mayles, who took part in the Youngcare Simpson Desert Challenge as part of a team that raised $600,000, said he was shocked to see the original goal of $3000 within 10 minutes.

"It has exceeded my expectations - I thought if we got to $10k I would be happy," he said.

"It's just continued to flow, which is amazing.

"There are people I know (who have donated) and others who have just picked it up from social media and other places)."

As part of Giving Day, every dollar raised for Youngcare would be matched by its primary sponsor Suncorp, with the overall goal set at $300,000.

"I think even just getting to that $300,000 will allow Youngcare to do what they've been doing over the next 12 months," Mr Mayles said.

"The money is great, but it's the awareness as well - that's what we want to create as well."

Youngcare helps support younger people with disabilities to keep them from living in nursing homes.

Mr Mayles' trek across the desert in June last year earned him plenty of admirers, and he hasn't ruled out doing it again in 2021.

"You might see me out there - I never say never," he said.

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