Having had some of my family members and close friends afflicted by anxiety, depression and thoughts of self-harm, I have been inspired to assist, however I can, those who are suffering from mental illness.

I have registered for the Fearless Leaders Kokoda Challenge 2016 — trekking the mountainous slopes of the Owen Stanley Ranges in New Guinea.  The iconic Kokoda Track was the route followed by the Australian soldiers defending Australia from Japanese invasion during the Second World War.  This Challenge serves as a focus for a fund-raising campaign for Lifeline.

Lifeline provides a 24/7 telephone, on-line and face-to-face support service for anyone suffering from a mental illness.  Those who find themselves in the depths of major life crisis can connect to a caring volunteer who can guide them through their darkest moments when they may be contemplating self harm or even suicide.  By lending a caring ear, they can lead them back from the brink and connect them to the various services that can help them.

Lifeline has a nationwide staff of about 1,000, backed up by around 11,000 volunteers, and they rely very heavily on community donations and philanthropic contributions to maintain their vital service.  Each day they take more than 2,200 phone calls from people needing support and who have the courage and determination to make that call.  Around 100 of those calls are from people who are vulnerable to suicide.

In this Challenge I have been particularly inspired by two things.  Firstly, two of the group, who have been assisted back to health by Lifeline, have dedicated themselves to the Challenge as a show of respect and gratitude to Lifeline.  Secondly, our itinerary will have us arriving at the Australian War Memorial at Brigade Hill in time for the Anzac Day Dawn Service, where we can pay our respects to those brave and heroic soldiers.  I will be 69 years old at the time of the trek next April, but I know I have this inspiration and the determination to be there with the younger ones at the finish.

I seek your support by making a donation, however large or small, to Lifeline to assist them to continue their incredible lifesaving service to our community.  This can be done on-line simply by clicking the DONATE button on this page. Any donation of $2.00 or more is tax deductible and a tax receipt will be generated automatically for you.

Together we can make a difference in other people’s lives.  The difference you’ll make means more than you think !

Thank you in anticipation of your support.  Please “like” this page and share it through your Friends network.