Reaching for the roof

TESS Holmes is hoping the thermometer tracking her fundraising efforts for R U OK? will reach the At the Bar Fitness roof.

Ms Holmes has signed up for the Run Melbourne Half Marathon on 13 July and is raising funds and awareness for R U OK?, a cause that means a lot to her.

“It all started when I began working at the gym in January and Nicky asked me to write a bio about myself,” said Ms Holmes.

“I didn’t know what to write but thought it should be fitness related so I said I enjoy running. I’ve done a half marathon before and I hope to do one again, maybe this year.

“Nicky said, ‘take out the words hope and maybe – you’re doing it this year.’

“I looked up the running calendar and saw Run Melbourne lined with my personal calendar so I locked it in and started training.

“I registered to be a charity superstar and picked R U OK? as this is a cause close to my heart.

“I was a police officer for 12 years, so a lot of my close friends have battled and are still battling mental health challenges every day and my brother-in-law committed suicide three years ago.”

Ms Holmes’ initial fundraising target was $500 which she now realises was quite modest.

“I made $500 in the first 48 hours, so I increased my target to $1000 but I still didn’t think I’d reach that.

“I thought all my close friends and family had already donated so it would probably plateau but it continued to climb.

“I put a poster of a thermometer up at the gym to track the fundraising and it very quickly reached the top and continued to climb up the wall.

With a little help from a friend: Tess Holmes is grateful for the physical, emotional and financial support she receives from her At the Bar Fitness employer and friend Nicky Walker. Photo: SANDRA JAMES

“Nicky and my friend Nat set fun challenges and shared them on social media, and the total continues to climb.

“I have been blown away by the generosity of everyone and it goes to show that mental health support means so much to so many people.

“I think everyone knows someone that they wish they could have one more conversation with.

“What I really like about R U OK? is that it is not a crisis service but a prevention/education organisation.

“Crisis services are definitely very important, but if we all pay attention to the message R U OK? is sending, hopefully not as many people will end up in crisis.

“Anyone who knows me knows that I am always up for a chat, but I know not everyone is as extroverted as me and words don’t come as naturally.

” R U OK? does really great work creating educational resources that teach us all how to have conversations that are quite hard.

“If you are not okay, it’s okay to admit it.

“You don’t have to wait until you are drowning and need a crisis service.

Tess Holmes’ daughter Scarlett is following her mother’s efforts closely and set her own challenge to help raise the tally. Photo: SUPPLIED

“Even just saying ‘I’ve got a lot on my plate right now’ can help ease the pressure and make life a bit easier to get through.

“I would love for the thermometer to reach the roof. All the money goes to equipping everyone with the skills to have lifesaving conversations.”

Ms Holmes also has support from friend Jacinta who trains with her and her dog Jack who has been on every training run.

Perhaps her biggest supporter is daughter Scarlett.

“My eight-year-old daughter, Scarlett made this poster saying if my fundraising tally reaches $5000, I have to run to Axedale.

“That’s 26 kilometres along the pretty lonely O’Keefe track. I don’t think I actually agreed to it, but I reached $5000 last week and she seems pretty adamant it’s happening.

“A lot of my friends have said they will be my support crew so I’m willing to give it a go.

“I’m sure I can do anything as long as I’ve got people supporting me.”

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, contact Beyond Blue at beyondblue.org.au or 1300 22 4636, Lifeline at lifeline.org.au or 13 11 14, or Kids

Helpline at kidshelpline.com.au or 1800 55 1800.