Marathon walk for mental health

A MAN on a mission to walk around Australia and raise money for Beyond Blue is set to arrive in Bendigo this Friday.

With a fund raising goal of $50,000, Warren Wright said the journey is expected to take “another three more years, at least”, but is all about giving back to an organisation that supported him during his own mental health issues.

“It gives Beyond Blue the resources to train people to get on the phone when some people need to ring and get help,” he said.

Mr Wright said walking was also a way of treating his own mental health issues, which became particularly challenging during the pandemic.

“My first walk I did was only about a year and a half ago. I did Tamworth to Adelaide and back and that was before COVID, and I was having a bit of a rough time then.

“Then when COVID hit I was relying on exercises and doing physical activity to help my mental situation out, and then when we couldn’t do anything I said ‘bugger this, when this thing calms down a bit I’m going for a walk’.”

Depending on terrain, Mr Wright said he covers anywhere between 20 to 40 kilometres a day, stopping for rests or to wait out poor weather as needed.

“When I was doing New South Wales to Victoria I was going up to 30 to 40 kilometres a day but when I was in Tasmania I had so many hills I was only doing 20 kilometres a day,” he said.

By his side for the entire walk is Mr Wright’s trolley, named Bluey, and you can follow their journey via the Facebook page Wazza & Bluey 2 walk around Australia for Beyond Blue for mental health.

Donations are being accepted via bit.ly/3gUtXQN.

Mr Wright also urged people to take the time to check on those around them and seek out support if needed.

“Just say hello to somebody and check on your neighbours and friends, see how they’re going,” he said.

If you or somebody 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.