Walker on front foot for mental health awareness

ALAN Thorpe kept putting one foot in front of the other these past few months, walking more than 100km across western Victoria.

The Ballarat resident completed walks to Beaufort on 27 March and Rokewood on 17 April as part of establishing a charity for mental health awareness.

“Both of them were absolutely wicked in every way,” he said. “I got people talking, so it was a win-win.”

He said the Rokewood walk, which included the town’s show and shine car event with a crowd in the thousands, was “pretty smooth”.

While wild weather made the Beaufort trek tricky, Thorpe, who walked for his and others’ mental health, said the exercises served as an example.

“I’ve had people reach out and say, ‘Hey mate, I wanted to see a psych for 10 years, but you actually gave me the push to go and do it while watching you’,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Alan Thorpe on one of his walks earlier this year. Photo: Supplied.

The mental health advocate, who has raised about $80,000 for Beyond Blue, is passionate about his cause.

He had experienced suicide in his own family, while the death of a spectator at a burnout event in Stawell in 2023 left him shaken, severely affecting his mental health.

Thorpe aims to establish Big Al’s Walks for Mental Health in the next six months.

The previous six months were busy for Thorpe, with work for his charity and having completed a walk to Canberra in November and one to Geelong in December.

From the Beaufort and Rokewood walks, Thorpe raised about $5,000 to help establish his charity.

He is aiming to provide a meeting space as well as initiatives in line with the charity’s causes.

“We are hoping in six months to have a shed set up somewhere in Ballarat where it’s just a safe place and where people can come and hang out,” he said.

He hopes to complete another walk this year.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit beyondblue.org.au or call their 24/7 hotline on 1300 22 4636. You can also visit lifeline.org.au or call them on 13 11 14 and help for young people is available at kidshelpline.com.au or by calling them on 1800 55 1800.