While working at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Reece Crawford would see the aftermath of domestic and family violence daily.
The physiotherapy assistant saw victim‑survivors rebuilding their lives piece by piece, learning to trust again and reclaim their safety. Those patients’ stories have stayed with him, and along with a serious accident of his own, prompted real action.
Reece is a now an avid participant and fundraiser for the Women’s Legal Service Queensland, taking part in the annual River to Rooftop challenge.
Before he was climbing the 1040 stairs for charity or running marathons, Reece was riding home from a car sales job on his moped. The light was green and the route was familiar. Then a van turned across his path, and everything went black.
When he finally awoke nearly a fortnight later in the RBWH – his workplace – he was unable to walk, talk, or eat. Forty‑nine days passed as Reece had to relearn the basics. Another 50 days followed in brain injury rehabilitation.
“Domestic and family violence is a disgusting stain on our society, on humanity as a whole,” he said.
“I regularly see victim-survivors of domestic and family violence recovering in my everyday work at RBWH.
“My accident saw me treated at the very same hospital that I now work in. A van coming the opposite direction turned across in front of me, I was unable to avoid the collision and woke 12 days later in the RBWH where I spent 49 days learning to walk, talk and eat again.”
For the anniversary of his accident in 2025, Reece took on the River to Rooftop challenge to mark his recovery and raise funds for WLSQ. Since then, he has continued pushing boundaries, completing 13 marathons and countless fitness challenges.
Before the accident, fitness wasn’t part of his identity. But losing mobility – even temporarily -reshaped him. When he finally regained the ability to move freely, Reece made a promise to himself that he would make the most of his second chance.
“I was never fitness focused before my injury, but that has changed drastically,” he said.
“The only reason I can think of for the change is that my mobility was taken away for a period of time and when I got it back I internally promised to use it to the fullest.
“I’ve now run 14 marathons with more to come, and I’ve covered over 15,000 kilometres in training and events. And River to Rooftop is an incredible event to be involved in for Women’s Legal Service Queensland.”
Running has become more than exercise. It has become part of his recovery and proof of resilience – resilience shown by victim-survivors every day in the hospital.
And now there’s another goal: qualifying for the Boston Marathon. It’s a big one that requires knocking 39 minutes off his current PB but it’s not out of reach and a possibility that blends his athletic dream with his mission to support victim‑survivors.
“I dream of being fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon, but I think that might remain a dream,” he said.
“I’m not sure I have the legs to knock 39 minutes off my marathon PB, but I’ve read that there is a fundraising option ie. raise a certain figure and qualify that way.
“Maybe my fundraising and fitness goals can become even closer. How do I stay motivated? You know what they say, use it or lose it. I’ve already lost it once, I don’t plan to lose it again.”
You can join Reece on Brisbane’s biggest stair climb challenge on 20 August, at One One One Eagle Street at 7am.
Funds raised help WLSQ provide vital free legal and support services to women impacted by domestic and family violence. This year’s fundraising target is $111,000. Participants who raise $120 will be entered into a draw for flights to an EVA Air destination.
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