Aussie dad breaks world record to raise $100K for kids’ charities, and you can help him break another in Sydney

He ran 320km dribbling a soccer ball from Canberra to Sydney, and after crossing the finish line on Thursday, he will attempt another – that you can be a part of.

Aussie dad smashes world record, running 320km from Canberra to Sydney to raise $100K for disadvantaged kids. Picture: Supplied

An Aussie dad is on a mission to claim two world records, one after the other, while raising money for disadvantaged children and inspiring kids to try something new.

Children’s entertainer Ozzie smashed his first World Record attempt on Thursday morning, crossing the finish line of his 320km run from Canberra to Sydney – which he did while dribbling a soccer ball.

But Ozzie, known off-camera as Scott Richmond, told news.com.au the effort was much more than a test of physical endurance.

“We’re trying to break a world record but more importantly to show kids they can achieve anything in life if they go about it the right way and they plan right and prepare right,” Ozzie said.

“On our YouTube channel we’re always encouraging kids to try new things, and this is an event we’ve put on to put those words into action. Ozzie is living those words.”

The Aussie dad has completed the longest dribbling of a soccer ball. Picture: Supplied

He ran 320km from Canberra to Sydney since July 14. Picture: Supplied

While long-distance running is not such a challenge for Richmond, who is an ultra-marathon runner, said adding a soccer ball to the mix – and the dangers of running along a highway – was “way out of my comfort zone”.

“I don’t have a soccer background … so I had to adapt my fitness and build up confidence to tackle this challenge. But I’m hoping this can prove that if you train hard enough, you can achieve anything.”

Since July 14, the Ozzie team – including co-creator Dylan Bray, Richmond’s wife and kids, his in-laws, and a recovery team – have been steadily dribbling a soccer ball from Parliament House in Canberra toward Sydney.

Ozzie ran and dribbled a soccer ball 320km over 6 days. Picture: Supplied.

But more than being a world record attempt, the Ozzie for Kids team – Richmond and co-creator Dylan Bray – are using the physical challenge to raise $100,000 for charity partners Fair Game and Sport Access Foundation.

All money raised will be used for sporting equipment and programs for kids living in remote and underprivileged communities across the country, as well as supporting children with disabilities play sport.

The Ozzie social media accounts have shared daily updates of the run which Richmond says has been “everything I expected and more”.

It has included road works and detours that added 8km of dribbling to the Day Five run, and some hairy moments on Day Three with cars not giving the caravan a wide enough berth on the highway; but best of all, Ozzie has seen some really heartwarming acts of generosity.

Ozzie ran along the highway, back roads, and dirt roads to reach the finish line. Picture: Supplied

“A woman from Carrick drove past a few days ago, looked up what we were doing, and drove back and handed me a $100 note,” he said.

The team posted a video showing Ozzie overwhelmed by the woman’s generous gesture to Facebook.

“Then this morning I was running out of one of the towns and this lady jumps out of the car and says ‘do you remember me?’ and it was the woman from Carrick.

“She said ‘I wanted to let you know you’re doing an incredible job’ and handed over an envelope full of cash.”

He said the woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, reminded him “that there are some really incredible people out there.

“We’re just trying to help kids around Australia, and for her to recognise that and go out of her way twice to come up and contribute – it just gave me so much positivity, such a lift, so much faith in humanity.”

Ozzie will cross the finish line at Seymour Shaw Park in Miranda, on Thursday, July 20, at 4pm. Picture: Supplied

Ozzie is on track to cross the finish line at Seymour Shaw Park in Miranda, on Thursday, July 20, at 4pm where a second record attempt will take place: the most people simultaneously dribbling a soccer ball.

The record currently stands at 2068 and was set in Gaza City back in 2011, but the Ozzie for Kids team are hoping to smash that record with local families on Thursday afternoon.

“Ozzie lives by the key messages: be curious, give everything a go, and always stay keen! It’s Ozzie’s ultimate goal to inspire kids to get active and live a healthy lifestyle,” Richmond said.

“We’d love for Australia to get behind us and join in our mission of promoting healthy living and inclusivity in sports.

“We want to prove that you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

For more information about the world record attempts, head to the Ozzie for Kids website and social media pages.

You can sign up to take part in what Ozzie has dubbed the World’s Largest Dribble at the form here.