Uniting to March On for returned veterans

FOUR mates with deep connections to Geelong are walking/running 96 kilometres over the month of March to raise funds for military veterans and returned service people, representing the same distance as the notorious Kokoda Trail.

City of Greater Geelong councillor Eddy Kontelj, Geelong United Basketball CEO Mark Neeld, Geelong United Basketball commissioner Mike Deam and local politician Andrew Katos have banded together to form Geelong Veterans United, the team they have named themselves as they aim to walk/run almost 400km throughout the month of March.

The group’s team fundraiser is being conducted through March On With Soldier On, a fundraising platform that sees all money raised put towards services for service personnel and their families to help prevent veteran suicide.

“For me, so many of our veterans who have returned fall between the cracks trying to find help,” Cr Kontelj said.

“Some of these people have been in combat and have seen all sorts of atrocities, which they are trying to deal with after spending years in the military.

“This is one way we can try to help them as a community.”

Commissioner of Geelong United Mr Deam participated in the March On initiative last year and when Cr Kontelj asked him if he would be interested in doing it again, he accepted without hesitation.

“Having done it on my own and now doing it in a team, it’s a lot more enjoyable doing it as a group,” Mr Deam said.

“It’s all about mateship, it’s as simple as that. Whether it’s looking after your mate or being with your mate, that is what this initiative is all about.

“Last year I did it all on a treadmill, but this year I had actually gone to Tasmania and walked along the war memorial there and down the Avenue of Honour, and you look at the trees which represent one life that didn’t come back, it makes doing this kind of initiative worth it.”

Mr Katos was inspired to take on the challenge because of the mental health of veterans and the benefits that the March On fundraiser can produce.

“These returning veterans come back and for some of them, they need help. Some of the veterans don’t know where to get it and they get left behind, so hopefully this challenge for us helps to remedy that for many people,” Mr Katos said.

“From our perspective, soldiers traversed the Kokoda Trail through pretty tough terrain while getting shot at by the enemy. What we’re doing here is a small sacrifice walking four kilometres a day for a month, but the more money we can acquire for veteran support the better.”

Mr Neeld referenced the togetherness the Geelong community has and is urging as many residents as possible in the region to help out where they can.

“The Geelong community is a great community to be a part of and if we can do a little bit to raise awareness in any way, shape or form in supporting those that need assistance, that’s what we’re trying to do,” he said.

“However, like Andrew said, we’re walking the same length as the Kokoda Trail, but under very different circumstances.”

Geelong Veterans United has already surpassed half-way on their journey to raising $10,000 for March On With Soldier On and believe they can hit their target before April.

To donate, head to www.marchonchallenge.org.au/fundraisers/geelongveteransunited.