Become an ambassador

Nick Ashill - a Wellington ultra-runner and hit-and-run survivor - is believed to be the first Kiwi to run across Australia and America.

In July 2024, Nick completed an almost 4000km run from Perth to Sydney to raise funds for the Foundation. It took him 74 days - 66 days running and 8 rest days.

Nick covered roughly 60km per day, burning between 6000-8000 calories a day.

The run was relentless at times - both physically and mentally - especially through the outback of Australia with no towns in sight for about 300km,.

Nick lost his mum to the rare lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), in 2015. IPF affects about 3 million people worldwide. There is no cure.

In May 2017, Nick Ashill attempted to complete an epic 5,400km run across the United States to raise money for the Foundation.

He was nearly 4000km into his journey - on day 81 - when he was struck by a truck in what appeared to be a deliberate hit-and-run, thrown into a ditch and left for dead.

His extensive injuries resulted in 16 surgeries and many months of gruelling recovery. He was warned by doctors that he would never return to running.

However, after a long and arduous recovery, he returned to the US in mid-2022 to the scene of the hit-and-run to finish the run that ended so abruptly.

He crossed the finish line in June 2022.

In 2023, Nick Ashill raised over $11,500 for Foundation after running for 48-hours straight - racking up 680 laps of a small inner-city Wellington field.

Nick aimed to run 300km over the two days - roughly the driving distance from Wellington to Mount Ruapehu.

Throughout November 2024, Josh Brodie - a former Firebirds cricketer - ran 21 km every day to raise funds for those living with asthma.

38-year-old Josh has lived with asthma his whole life, and was no stranger to A&E as a child.

But he was proof you can live with a respiratory condition and still achieve your biggest dreams.

He recalls being told by doctors that he'd never play cricket professionally as his lungs would not be up to the challenge. He defied the odds and was able to live his dream playing for the Wellington Firebirds.

In March 2024, Josh Brodie completed a full Ironman in Taupō, which consisted of a 3.9km swim, 180km bike, then a marathon 42.2km run.

Josh's goal is to not only be competitive, but to create awareness, educate and raise an ambitious goal of $50,000 for the Foundation.

Josh has lived with asthma his entire life. While he may not be affected as significantly as when he was a child, Josh understands that knowing how to deal with asthma triggers while living an active life isn't always easy.