Local duo smash mental health fundraising goal

A GEELONG mother-daughter duo has helped to raise more than $15,000 for the Black Dog Institute during October’s One Foot Forward campaign.

Janina Lear and her daughter Lola walked over 100km help raise funds for ground-breaking mental health treatment, education and digital services.

The pair tragically lost their son/brother Jonah Lear last year following a battle with mental illness.

The Jonah’s Wings team finished in second place Australia-wide, blowing Ms Lear’s expectations out of the park.

“My first goal was to raise $5,000, so to raise over $15,000 was just amazing, I’m so pleased.

“It’s totally exceeded expectations, in terms of both the fundraising and the joy I’ve gotten from walking.

“Just walking every day had so many benefits and the girls and I really enjoyed doing it.

“I’m really proud of us for pulling together and doing it, even in some terrible weather and conditions.

“I’ve been getting a lot of messages saying how proud Jonah must be of us. I really hope he is.”

Ms Lear said she hoped to continue walking every day in the future to mimic what she did during the month-long campaign.

“I’ll be planning to continue doing it every day.

“Even when I was away in Sydney during the month and it was raining and terrible, we still got out there and had a go.

“We were drenched and squigging, but we were so motivated to do this.

“I’m definitely sure I’ll keep doing the campaign every year too to support the great work Black Dog Institute are doing.

“I hope each year I can increase my walking and fundraising to keep making a difference.”