Murray Bridge domestic violence advocate Kai Martin has announced his next major endurance fundraiser, a 500km run around Sturt Reserve across five days in February.
The local support worker raised $66,741 earlier this year after running from Clare to Murray Bridge in just three days. Now he’s preparing for “Run for DV 2”, aiming to complete nearly 300 laps of a 1.7-kilometre loop at Sturt Reserve between the 18th and 23rd of February 2026.
Less than a day after posting the challenge on mycause.com.au, he had already received $150. The official target is $50,000, but Kai hopes to push well beyond that with backing from major companies as well as the generous local donors who supported his first run.
Kai says every dollar will go toward practical initiatives that help Murray Bridge families living with domestic violence. A working group is assessing projects such as outreach support, emergency childcare and food delivery, women’s defence classes and respectful-relationships programs for children and teens.
The fundraiser will also support Kai’s new charity, currently being established in partnership with the Murray Bridge Regional Collaboration on Violence Against Women and Children.
In a post announcing the run, he wrote:
“I want to see a world free from abuse and violence, because everyone deserves to feel safe, to feel loved, and to be happy.”
His mother Linda Martin, who sits on the regional collaboration group, said she is “extremely proud” of her son and the impact his efforts continue to have across the community.
Domestic violence remains a major concern
Kai’s announcement comes as SAPOL releases new figures from Operation Storm, its statewide domestic violence crackdown over a 10-week period.
Since the operation began, police have targeted more than 1,750 alleged offenders, resulting in 361 arrests, 727 offences charged, and more than 100 intervention orders issued. Officers also made hundreds of bail compliance checks and referred more than 150 alleged offenders to support services aimed at behaviour change.
Police say the targeted operation is part of South Australia’s broader commitment under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children, with a focus on deterring repeat offending and connecting perpetrators with rehabilitation programs.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
