Financial executives paddle 52km to raise funds for juvenile diabetes research

Two Australian financial services executives will soon paddle across a 52km open ocean channel, known as the “Channel of Bones”, to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Earl Evans, Head of Wealth Management at Shaw and Partners in New South Wales and Mal Cameron, Head of Shaw and Partners in Victoria will paddle from Molokai to Oahu as part of the annual Maui Jim Molokai Challenge.

Their fundraising goal is $100,000 and the executives have said they are confident in hitting that goal.

“One day I saw people paddling and I thought it would be fun to have a crack at it. One thing led to another and we are now taking on one of the biggest challenges in open ocean paddling,” said Evans.

“Throughout my career I have watched my colleagues raise money for charity by cycling up some of the hardest mountains you can find, or by running five marathons in three weeks.

“I have always supported them, but I have never actually done it myself. This is proving to be one of the hardest things I have ever done and I have been training the house down.”

Evans said the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is a terrific charity, one which both he and Cameron, have had a lot to do with in the past.

“Juvenile Diabetes is such an insidious disease for young children to deal with, so paddling for this cause is phenomenal motivation. It means a lot to us to be able to support people who are doing such a good job,” said Evans.

Shaw and Partners CEO Allan Zion said it was rare to have two of his most senior executives risking their lives to raise money for charity.

“Shaw and Partners are very pleased to be able to support both of them in any way we can in this momentous effort, I just hope we get them both back in one piece,” Zion said.

Evans is confident of getting close to the $100,000 target.

“Then all Mal and I have to do is get across that Channel of Bones in one piece and we can celebrate with a beer, or five,” Evans said.