Stepping out for mental health

A WALKER has exceeded his fundraising goal in support of men’s mental health.

From Sunday, 25 September, Alan Thorpe walked 25 kilometres a day, for 20 days, around Lake Wendouree, with the aim of raising $8350 for charity Beyond Blue.

Concluding his 500-kilometre endeavour on Friday last week, he surpassed his goal by nearly $2000, although Mr Thorpe said raising awareness for men’s mental health was the driving factor.

“The money helps for people reaching out, but me doing what I’m doing and people seeing that, that’s more important than the money side of things,” he said.

“People see what I’m doing and then they get help and speak up. It’s more about spreading the word.”

Delacombe resident Mitch Jenkins joined Mr Thorpe on his final day of walking, and said he was inspired by the message behind the laps.

“Alan’s showing us all that we’re not alone in our journey. It’s not weak to speak up and men have lots of trouble doing that,” he said.

“They don’t come out because they feel like they’re weak and Alan’s showing that it’s not. He’s supporting the community. He’s supporting everyone he talks to.

“He’s putting himself out there 100 per cent. I highly, highly respect that and a lot of people I’ve talked to feel the same.”

Mr Thorpe celebrated his efforts at the Lake View Hotel after his final kilometres, and said attention for the campaign had grown.

“I had someone message me from Liverpool saying how much it’d impacted him which is just unreal.

“I’ve been hugely supported from the Aussie rap scene, which is what I listen to,” he said.

“Wombat and Chillinit, they’re two of Australia’s biggest rap artists and they’re both promoting what I’m doing too.”

With an aim to undertake two fundraising walks a year, Mr Thorpe plans to begin preparing for another in the later months of summer.