Former Newcastle Knights player Mark Hughes has set himself an ambitious challenge.

After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2014, he and his wife Kirralee founded The Mark Hughes Foundation to raise funds for research and awareness for brain cancer.

In 2016, Mark and a group of volunteers conquered the Kokoda Track, raising $150,000 for the foundation.

Last year they took on the Everest Base Camp and raised $500,000.

Now, the foundation has set itself another ambitious challenge and set off to Borneo on Wednesday for a coast to coast trek.

Mark tells Ben Fordham despite his nerves, he’s excited.

“We’ve got a huge war history over there in Borneo. We had prisoners of wars, we lost thousands of soldiers… basically, no one survived.

“We need to give ourselves a great challenge because lots of people are supporting us and sponsoring us.

“There’s so many families and people out there battling cancer. They’re facing much tougher hurdles every day of their lives.”

Mark is asking for donations to support the trek and the foundation’s cause.

“Nothing’s too small or too big. Every dollar’s getting us one step closer to finding a cure to thing damn thing.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview 

To donate to the cause, click HERE

Image: Mark Hughes Foundation