Leading Canberrans including CEOs, Community Leaders and Senior Executives will this week walk The Menslink Great Walk 2022 to raise awareness and much-needed funds for men’s mental health.
“These past few years have seen an enormous amount of pressure on both young and older men as we have all struggled to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, and add to that more recent effects of inflation, financial pressures, floods…there’s a lot of stress and strain on our community, and it can all add up to really affect mental health,” said Martin Fisk, Menslink’s Chief Executive.
“Our group of dedicated walkers will journey together from Parliament House, walking up to 30km per day along the Centenary Trail, and it’s all about raising awareness of Menslink, what we do, how we help the men in our community, and in turn their families.
“This year we have 32 walkers who will walk 142 kilometres over five days to raise as much money as we can. We’re aiming to match or better last year’s walk fundraising total of $350,000 for Menslink, funds that were a game changer for us and a life saver for the families we support. We’re on track to hit that target during our epic adventure across parts of Canberra’s Centenary Trail,” Martin continued.
Menslink is a community service providing free mental health support to thousands of young men and their families across the ACT region. Their objective is to assist young men get through tough times with the least amount of harm to themselves and those around them and they provide free counselling, mentoring and school education programs to those in need. Menslink relies on donations and corporate sponsorship in order to offer their free services.
This year there are 15 new walkers, and seven of the walkers are women, who are each driven to fundraise and walk for Menslink, motivated in different ways. Rachel Wright of Threesides Marketing will be walking, and says she’s taking part to help young guys, but more than that, to help their support networks also.
“When I think of Menslink, I don’t just think of our local blokes. I think of their sisters, their mums, their future girlfriends and families, and the communities they will be a part of as they go forward. Menslink supports these guys to speak up, to know its ok to ask for help and to be amazing men who are role models for the people and the community around them,” Rachel said.
“My partner has been a Menslink mentor before and we have referred multiple friends with young boys to connect with Menslink for the supports that they can provide. So I have seen the benefit of what Menslink does in Canberra first hand.” Rachel continued.
At 142 kilometres, the Menslink Great Walk is longer than the Kokoda Track (96km) and further than the distance to Everest Base Camp (130km). Starting at Parliament House on the morning of Tuesday 1st November, the walkers will walk up to 30km each day, and have each committed to raising $10,000 each.
“This walk will be challenging. We’ve had to change the route several times due to the recent rainfall in the Canberra region, but every dollar donated will go directly to Menslink to support our programs that support young men and their families in the Canberra community. We can’t wait to get this epic journey underway!” concluded Martin.
For more information on The Menslink Great Walk and Menslink’s services, or to donate, go to www.menslink.org.au
