A group of eight friends are taking on the challenge to walk 77 kilometres over two days, all in the name of mental health.
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This Friday and Saturday the group will trek across Collie, Trangie and Narromine representing non-profit organisation 'Beat the Breakdown'.
Walker Sarah Press said following last year's success and the tough times being experienced due to the drought, it was important more than ever to start conversations about mental health.
"We were really, really touched by all the support by the community gave us, so we thought let's do it again and see how we go, and it's already I think bigger and better than last year, which is great," she said.
"I think as well the community and a lot of places are just really suffering with the drought, the lack of rain and growing crops and it's a good excuse to create a bit more of an awareness about mental health and get people together to catch up for a drink and a chat."
Also the wellbeing coordinator for girls at Trangie Central School, Ms Press said she has seen firsthand how successful the money raised from their first walk has supported mental health workshops at the school.
"The programs that come to school, the Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman workshops are phenomenal," she said.
"The engagement that they get from the kids, helping them to talk about mental health and wellbeing, they really are fabulous and I know the community workshops have been a great success too."
On Friday, the group are aiming to reach Trangie at 2.30pm to join in on the Tomorrow Man and Women workshops being hosted at Trangie Central.
"We're hoping arrive before school finishes so students can see what we're doing and the money we're raising is going toward, so it makes more sense to them," Ms Press said.
From 6pm at the Trangie Imperial Hotel there will be a barbecue, auction and catch up.
On Saturday the walkers will hit the highway heading to Narromine before 3pm to walk on the Gorillas first grade side for their annual Beat the Breakdown match. Following the game there will be a catch up at the Narromine Hotel where the club will be auctioning off their jerseys.
Ms Press said while donations go toward Beat the Breakdown to provide workshops on mental health and wellbeing within the shire, the main thing is to start conversations.
"Money's not everything ... I think its equally important that everyone starts those conversations and asks each other 'are you ok?' or 'how are you going?'," she said.
Ms Press gave a big thank you to their major sponsors including, Mitchell Machinery, Auscott, Coggan Wool, Aqua West, NDF, Macquarie Valley Fuels, ANZ, Macquarie Cotton Growers, KPMG, Narormine Hardware and SCR Electrical and Air Conditioning.
To donate or to find out more people can visit the 2019 Beat the Breakdown Walk Facebook page.
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
