Shaka Project to host 24-hour relay for mental health

THE Shaka Project is introducing Geelong to a new challenge with its first 12 or 24-hour marathon relay-style event.

Its Run for Prevention will be held at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds Campus, with the 24-hour challenge starting from 6pm on Friday, October 17.

Across the elected 12 or 24-hour period, participants will raise money for the Shaka Project to support its efforts in mental health and suicide prevention. These programs are delivered, at no charge, to schools, workplaces and sporting clubs across the region.

The Shaka Project director Sean Phillip said he is looking forward to the event bringing people together and starting vital conversations about mental wellbeing.

 

“From really fit people that want to… run as much as they can, and then those people that are just coming in and walking because they’ve experienced, whether it be mental health or been touched by suicide in their lives — they’re coming to walk for a reason.

“It’s going to be really special to have those people together and be able to have some conversations around [their experiences].”

Run for Prevention will be the organisation’s first in-person event.

“It’s definitely not an event to break records, or for people to push through the entire 24 hours, it’s more just to bring people together and we really encourage people to sign up,” Mr Phillip said.

“They can run around, walk, whatever they can do, and really ignite some important conversations, too.”

Spectators are also encouraged to head down and show their support.

For more information and to register for the event, head to the-shaka-project.grassrootz.com