Sweat with Pride is gearing up for a massive June, and the LGBTQIA+ fundraising challenge has unveiled three ambassadors, Kath Ebbs, Mitch Broan and Lou Keck, who are ready to help get Australia moving for a cause.
Officially back for 2026, Sweat with Pride is inviting Australians to get moving this Pride Month, while raising money for LGBTQIA+ organisations doing vital work year-round.
After a hugely successful pilot in 2025, which saw more than 1,700 participants raise over $160,000, the 30-day fundraising challenge is returning bigger, sweatier and more fabulous than before.
More than 800 people have already signed up to take part in Sweat with Pride, proving plenty of Aussies are keen to turn their daily movement into something that actually makes a difference.
Run by Rainbow Giving Australia in partnership with ACON, Sweat with Pride challenges participants to move every day across June while fundraising for LGBTQIA+ communities.
Actor and creator Kath Ebbs, former AFL player Mitch Brown and speaker and culture strategist Lou Keck are officially joining the 2026 campaign.
They are encouraging people across the country to sign up, sweat it out and raise money for LGBTQIA+ communities this Pride Month.
But don’t feel like you have to go it alone. With workplaces like Nine, Qantas and Hays Recruitment already signed up, organisations are also encourages to take part.
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With a week to go until the launch, the campaign has already managed to raise almost $40,000 across its 1,000 participants.
And there’s still time to get involved before Sweat with Pride officially kicks off on June 1.
Sweating for the community
According to Rainbow Giving Australia, LGBTQIA+ organisations receive just five cents out of every $100 donated to Australian charities.
That funding gap has real consequences for services that deliver mental health support, legal help, education and social connection programs.
That is where Sweat with Pride comes in, and for Kath Ebbs, getting involved was an easy yes.
The actor, presenter and creator has built a huge online community through humour, storytelling and advocacy.
They were the first non-binary character to appear on an Australian soap in Neighbours and have become one of Australia’s most recognisable queer voices in the process.
“Community is so important for LGBT+ folks,” they said. “Therefore, organisation funding is paramount to our survival.”
The deal is simple: participants commit to 21 minutes of movement every day in June. Walk, run, dance, swim, stretch, wheel, lift weights or dramatically powerwalk while listening to Kylie. It all counts.
You can join solo or rope in your workplace, gym buddies, sports team, friendship group or that one friend who is always threatening to join the gym.
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Mitch Brown is bringing both sport and visibility to the challenge after becoming the first bisexual man, past or present, to publicly come out in AFL history last year.
“Sport and movement have always been a huge part of my life,” Brown said.
“Not just for physical health, but for connection, confidence, and feeling part of something bigger.”
“That’s why getting involved in Sweat with Pride is a no-brainer.”
Brown said he hopes people sign up with friends, teammates, workplaces and chosen family groups.
“It’s always more fun doing something good as a team, especially when it’s raising funds for such an important cause,” he said.
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You don’t need to be sporty to join
Lou Keck, former CEO of The Reach Foundation, said that’s exactly the point of the challenge.
“Sweat with Pride feels really special because it combines so many things I care about: community, inclusion, pride, health, and having fun while making a difference,” she said.
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“I’d love to see more people join us, whether you’re super sporty or just keen to get moving for something meaningful.”
Funds raised through the challenge support Rainbow Giving Australia and ACON, helping deliver programs designed by and for LGBTQIA+ people.
“Pride Month is a time to celebrate global LGBTQIA+ progress and reckon with the road ahead,” Rainbow Giving Australia’s Marketing and Engagement Manager Jake Smith said.
“Sweat with Pride is a practical, joyful way to take real action. Every dollar raised helps strengthen the organisations and services LGBTQIA+ people rely on.”
Pride Month, but make it sweaty
Whether you are a gym lover or a stroller, Sweat with Pride is a fun way to get involved in Pride Month while giving back.
So lace up your sneakers, grab your water bottle and get ready to make June a little sweatier and a whole lot more impactful.
Rainbow Giving CEO Em Scott said the response so far has been huge.
“It’s fantastic to see community members, workplaces, gyms, and chosen families signing up for Sweat with Pride,” Scott said.
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“Despite a challenging climate, we’re building a movement that puts the fun in fundraising while delivering real impact for rainbow communities.”
So if your June plans involved staying under a blanket doomscrolling, consider this your sign to lace up your sneakers instead and let’s make a sweaty difference together.
To sign up for Sweat with Pride, visit sweatwithpride.com.au
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
