The No-Way Campaign was created in 2005 by Darren Marton, with the vital and unconditional support of Federal Member for Hughes, Danna Vale MP. As a gifted young athlete, Darren won nine consecutive premierships with the Gymea Junior Rugby League Football Club which he captained on numerous occasions. He played Harold Matthews Cup, SG Ball and Jersey Flegg with the Cronulla Sharks and represented NSW on three occasions which culminated in him being offered a scholarship with the Cronulla Sharks at the age of 16.
However, he succumbed to the lure of drugs at an early age, starting with cannabis and alcohol in high school, progressing to heroin in his early 20’s and then finally experiencing the terrors of crystal-meth, more commonly known as Ice. After a roller coaster ride which included stints in gaol and psychiatric wards, Darren turned his life around in 2004 and made a vow to use his experiences to inform young Australians about the real dangers and consequences associated with drugs.
Darren launched The No-Way Campaign on the 17th of May 2006 at the Cronulla Sharks Leagues Club with a deeply moving account of his life and has now since carried this powerful message into a stack of schools, youth groups and sporting clubs. The No-Way Campaign up until now, has educated and informed well over 50 000 young people to date, as well as many extremely concerned parents with its clear, simple, but yet very powerful message.
After recapturing his once positive attitude which lay dormant for so many years, his life has been nothing short of a miracle. Some of his other achievements to date include, of course, becoming the CEO of TNWC Foundation, being awarded the Pride of Australia Medal – Role Model in 2007, and he was also the driving force behind The Neo-Natal Appeal in 2007, which raised over $ 130,000.00 for premature babies at Westmead Hospital, NSW, and he is now also a sort after Motivational Speaker, with Inspire Your Desire - www.darrenmarton.com
Lastly, and most importantly, one hand never claps - but many hands do. I big thank must go out to all those who have made this Foundation a reality, and a sincere thank you to all. With special thanks going to, in particular, Danna Vale MP, Alan Jones AO, TNWC Foundation's Board of Directors, and to St. George Graphics & Printers. It is to these people, we as a community, owe our deepest gratitude of thanks.
Well done, and many thanks from all concerned.