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7 Summits. 1 Mission. Change a Child's Life.

By Harrison's Elbrus Climb for Barnardos Australia

I'm fundraising to help vulnerable Aussie kids.

In July / August 2026, I'll be attempting to summit Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest mountain at 5,642 metres and one of the world's famed Seven Summits. A stratovolcano deep in the Caucasus Mountains on the border of Russia and Georgia, it pierces the sky at more than two and a half times the height of Australia's tallest peak, with summit temperatures that plunge well below -20 degrees and winds exceeding 100km per hour. The mountain will demand everything I have, and even then, there are no guarantees. But as unforgiving as Elbrus is, the children that Barnardos supports are being asked to show a very different kind of resilience, the kind no child should ever have to find. For me, this attempt is about much more than reaching the top.

I'm fundraising for Barnardos Australia because I believe children are the most vulnerable people in our society and the ones with the most potential if given a real chance. Not some children. All children. The ones born into loving homes and the ones who weren't. The ones who get every opportunity and the ones who never get a single one.

Adults can advocate for themselves. Kids often can't.

Some Australian children are born into a world of domestic violence, sexual abuse, neglect and poverty, and without intervention, those circumstances can define the rest of their lives. Barnardos has spent over 100 years making sure that doesn't have to be the case, wrapping around kids at their most vulnerable with crisis accommodation, therapy, family support and foster care, giving them a genuine shot at a different life.

100% of all donations go directly to Barnardos Australia. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

Please donate whatever you can. Share this page with someone who might care. And follow along on Instagram [@_harrisonchen] as I make the climb.

Every summit starts with a single step, and together we can help these kids take theirs.

Be a Champion for Children

Raised

$3,903

My Goal

$3,500

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My Updates

UPDATE 2: A Different Kind of Pressure

Thursday 16th Jul
We have smashed the target again!

With just over a week until I depart for Mt. Elbrus, we have blown past the updated target of $3,500 and I am beyond grateful. Thank you to each and every one of you who has donated, supported me, reached out to wish me good luck, or helped in any other way.

Heading into this final week of preparation, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous and stressed. This photo of me from the Himalayas captures that feeling perfectly. Standing there, looking up at the challenge ahead, wondering if it’s even possible.

But in moments like this, when the nerves kick in, it helps to come back to why you’re doing it in the first place. One of my favorite quotes from the legendary Shaquille O’Neal is: “I don’t believe in pressure. Pressure is when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from.”

It’s a reminder that the children Barnardos Australia supports face a completely different kind of pressure and a completely different kind of challenge, every single day. 

And a reminder that every dollar we’ve raised together is genuinely making a difference.

Thank you all!
Harrison

THANK YOU!

Sunday 14th Jun

I'll be honest. I didn't know what to expect when I launched this page.

Within 24 hours of going live, WE have smashed the $2,500 target and raised $2,645. People from every corner of my life, showed up in a way that I genuinely did not anticipate, and I am deeply, profoundly grateful.

This isn't just a number on a screen. It is real money that will go directly to real children in Australia who need it most. To put that into perspective, here is what your generosity actually means in practice:

 - $50 can provide breakfast and every day essentials for a child hungry to learn.

 - $100 can provide a child with a dedicated support worker to ensure their physical, emotional, psychological needs are met.

 - $250 can fund one therapy session for a child and help them start the important journey of healing to overcome their traumatic start in life.

- $500 can provide vital health care services such a dental care, eye specialists and physical therapy for those whose health has deteriorated due to neglect.

Every dollar you donated translates directly into something tangible for a child who has never had someone in their corner. That is an extraordinary thing, and YOU all did that.

The fundraising page will remain open. I still have over a month before I even set foot on the Caucasus Mountains and begin my attempt on Elbrus, and in the coming days I'll be updating the fundraising target to reflect that. We've already shown what's possible when a community decides to show up, I'd love to see how far we can go.

To every single person who donated, shared this page, or simply took the time to read the story behind this climb, thank you. I will carry every one of you with me up that mountain.

Every summit starts with a single step, and together we've already taken ours.

Harrison

Thank you for being a champion

$28.43

Imogen

Good luck!

$106.12

Steph & Ben

Wishing you the best of luck Harrison! Such a great cause! Stay safe and best of luck!

$27.83

Kerri

Wishing you the absolute best of luck on your climb Harrison! What you’re doing for Barnardos is incredibly inspiring. Stay safe and enjoy the journey.

$54.84

Lakshi Perera

Wishing you all the best on the climb, Harrison! Such a great cause and an incredible challenge. Have fun and stay safe! You got this 💪🏾

$106.12

Ananth Sarathy

Amazing cause and an adventure ahead - all the best!

$100

Lachlan Fraser-bell

Mate you are a inspiration - no doubt you've got what it takes to summit. Will be cheering you on!

$56

Molika Kim

Best of luck, Harrison! You’ve got this! 💪🏔️

$106.12

Kim Keir

$54.84

Amy Jochelson

Best of luck Harrison! An incredible journey for an incredible cause <3

$23.50

Simone

Well done Harrison- champion effort!

$28.43

Gabs

Such an inspiration!

$54.84

Peter Bland

I love what you are doing here, Harrison.

$54.84

Anonymous

$5

Marcel Edbert

🔥🔥🔥

$28.43

Clement

$106.12

Kelly

Go Harry!!

$28.43

Nathan

$28.43

Sarah Gray

Amazing work Harrison!

$25

Ella

$10

Anonymous

$100

Arvalia

Thank you for using your time, energy, and determination to make a difference in the lives of children and families who need it most.

$25

Anonymous

$100

Andrew Wu

An incredible challenge for an even more incredible cause. Inspiring stuff, Harrison. Wishing you a safe and successful climb! ⛰️

$318.90

Esmond Ye

To embark on an adventure like this is incredible enough, but to do it in service of a noble cause is deeply inspiring. So proud of you, brother. I’ll be cheering you on loud and proud from back home!! YOU GOT THIS HARRISON!!!

$150

Codi Land

So proud of you my amazing friend!! You are incredible and inspiring! Love and miss ya!!!

$106.12

Kendra & Nate

So proud of you Harrison! You’re doing amazing things! Be safe up there:)

$54.84

William Pocock

$15

Anonymous

Wishing you lots of luck! Have a wonderful journey, and please come back safely.

$37

Rish Aneja

$185

Vincent Tsai

Harrison 加油💪

$215

Sumiaty Widjaja

Harrison, 加油👏

$50

S

You are amazing!

$200

Hannah

加油! ❤️

$50

Anonymous

$28.43

Ricky Cho

$50

朱慧

Harrison, Good job, 加油💪

$28.43

Elly Tan

$106.12

Gabi Pt

$200

Harry Chen

So proud of you for doing this for such a great cause! Just remember: Reaching the summit is optional, but making it back down safely is not💪

$200

Jono

So proud of you, legendary behaviour for a good cause! Will be cheering for you from afar

$100

Lilly & Adro

$250

Riana

Dear Harrison, Organizing a fundraising campaign for children while taking on the challenge of climbing a high mountain is an incredible effort and truly inspiring. I am very proud of you 💪

$300

Harrison Chen

I'm not so confident I can achieve this summit, let alone change the world, but if I can change just one person's world, then I'll know I lived a life worth living.