![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2025\/07\/TessHolmesRUOK3_54161.png\")
“Nicky and my friend Nat set fun challenges and shared them on social media, and the total continues to climb.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“I think everyone knows someone that they wish they could have one more conversation with.<\/p>\n
“What I really like about R U OK? is that it is not a crisis service but a prevention\/education organisation.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
” R U OK? does really great work creating educational resources that teach us all how to have conversations that are quite hard.<\/p>\n
“If you are not okay, it’s okay to admit it.<\/p>\n
“You don’t have to wait until you are drowning and need a crisis service.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “I would love for the thermometer to reach the roof. All the money goes to equipping everyone with the skills to have lifesaving conversations.”<\/p>\n Ms Holmes also has support from friend Jacinta who trains with her and her dog Jack who has been on every training run.<\/p>\n Perhaps her biggest supporter is daughter Scarlett.<\/p>\n “My eight-year-old daughter, Scarlett made this poster saying if my fundraising tally reaches $5000, I have to run to Axedale.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “A lot of my friends have said they will be my support crew so I’m willing to give it a go.<\/p>\n “I’m sure I can do anything as long as I’ve got people supporting me.”<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Helpline at kidshelpline.com.au or 1800 55 1800.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2025\/07\/Scarlet_64194.jpeg\")