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Sandfire Resources managing director Karl Simich, Pilbara Minerals MD Ken Brinsden, Western Areas MD Dan Lougher, Venturex Resources MD AJ Saverimutto and Gilbert + Tobin senior partner Michael Blakiston jumped off the 5m diving board at HBF Stadium in Perth.
The five were nominated by their employees to walk the plank to raise funds for The Pirate Ship Foundation, a charity devoted to childhood rain cancer research and awareness.
Childhood brain cancer kills more Australian children than any other disease, with over 200 children diagnosed each year. Survival rates have significantly lagged other cancers, especially adult cancers, where research funding has been prioritised.
Treatment options remain extremely harsh and damaging to kids' still-developing brains and bodies, with the result that even survivors are left with severe and life-long impacts from surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
"I had no idea that so many kids are impacted, and so harshly, by brain cancer," Brinsden said.
"Researchers clearly have a big challenge in front of them to improve survival and impacts, but with the largest research program in the country right here in Perth and seeing what they are doing in terms of research and international collaboration I didn't hesitate to jump in and be part of it!"
The five MDs raised A$112,400 for childhood brain cancer.
Donations to The Pirate Ship Foundation on behalf of the intrepid CEO's can be made here.
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Ken Brinsden walks the plank
The foundation is chaired by Sandfire chief financial officer Matt Fitzgerald, whose daughter Abigail survived gruelling treatment for a brain tumour at the age of four.
"We have such an incredible opportunity to be part of a global push in childhood brain cancer research," Fitzgerald said.
"Cutting-edge research in complementary drugs to increase effectiveness and reduce damage from existing therapies, immunotherapy and using the body to fight disease, better targeted radiotherapy, patient specific disease testing and tailoring treatment - these opportunities are being researched right now and taken through to clinical trials to help more of these kids to not just survive treatment, but to then be able to live happy and healthy lives."
The foundation will hold its annual BrainChild Ball at Crown Perth on July 27.
