MinterEllison congratulates Special Counsel Robert Reed for the fifth annual Darkness to Daylight (D2D) Challenge, an event which has over the years raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for domestic and family violence awareness and prevention; and for receiving his OAM honours from the Governor of Queensland.

The D2D Challenge, held last night at South Bank Parklands in Brisbane, is a 110km run along the Brisbane River that signifies the lives lost to domestic violence every year – approximately 110 people die each year in Australia due to domestic and family violence.

Over 2,300 participated in this year's event.

Mr Reed is the primary founder of the D2D Challenge which, in 2016 and 2017 alone raised in excess of $300,000 for Australia's CEO Challenge (ACEOC) who organise the event.

In 2018, from direct donations, the D2D Challenge has already raised over $97,000. The final figure (after registrations, sponsorships and donations are tallied) should be significantly higher.

On Wednesday, prior to starting this year's run, Mr Reed was presented his Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) at an Investiture Ceremony at Government House with his Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland. Mr Reed was awarded the OAM in the General Division in the 2018 Australia Day Honours List for service to social welfare programs, and to the law.

"Back in 2012, I ran a pilot version of D2D with the first 100km or so being pretty much alone through the night," said Mr Reed. "I wanted the run to symbolise the dark and isolated life of many people in domestic violence situations."

"The run is all about drawing attention to the fact that too many people are hurt in Australia," said Mr Reed. "Every year approximately 110 people die from domestic and family violence in Australia. This is not acceptable, and I hope that the contribution made by all those participating and volunteering in the D2D Challenge will drive this number down."

Money raised helps ACEOC with its work in domestic violence prevention through workplace and community partnerships and awareness raising activities.

To donate and find out more, please visit the D2D Challenge website