Inspired Camping was contacted by Mick and Rose from Australia who intend to do their bit towards making a difference and embarking on a camping trip to save lives. Here’s their story and the reason why we’re happy to support them in their quest.
On the 1st July 2014 we will be commencing our walking trek of the Canning Stock Route Halls Creek to Wiluna totally unassisted, a distance of 2000km of Desert country. We are carrying all our own supplies in back packs and pulling hiking trolleys. We will also have two 4WD vehicles accompanying us (a film/photography crew), who are not permitted to assist us in any way as the goal is to do the trek unassisted. The event is being filmed and upon return we will be selling the DVD’s with all money from the proceeds being donated to Suicide Prevention Australia.
The aim is to create suicide awareness, we want to show people no matter how hard the road is ahead you never give up, just keep going one foot in front of the other.
We are expecting to take 8 weeks to complete the whole trek. It is going to be the toughest challenge we have ever undertaken, with months of preparation going into being ready physically and mentally for such a feat. The logistics of the trek involves carrying enough water between wells and all our own food, which consists mainly of dehydrated foods and dried fruit and resource bars, all of which have been donated.
The Canning has been described as the world’s longest and toughest 4wd track. It is a remote desert track with 51 wells, with only about half the wells still containing water, there is no real means of escape due to its remoteness. However the sheer beauty of it attracts 4wd enthusiast from all over the world.We have also been donated reverse osmosis water treatment equipment that is essential in keeping enough clean water for us to survive on between wells. We are also feel privileged living in a Australia where places like the Canning still exists and is still so beautifully maintained and can be admired for its beauty, culture, history and wildlife that it possess .
Our motto and the message we are trying to get across is:
IT’S TIME TO TALK – STOPPING THE STIGMA
There is help available and it is ok to ask. Our goal in life is to create awareness for anyone who needs it. Our aim is to get the information out there to as many people as we can, we want to get the help line phone numbers, pamphlets on the illness itself, the treatment available and the resources including medical help that is available for anyone who needs it.
Along the way we also want to raise money to donate to Suicide Prevention Australia, so they can continue to do the great work that they do.
Suicide affects everyone from children to adults, many people just don’t know where to go when they are feeling suicidal or suffering from mental illness. There is so much taboo to admitting to feelings of depression or any mental illness, feelings of failure, sadness, blues or weakness. We want to create enough awareness that anyone who has these feeling will be able to talk about it and seek the help without feeling that they will be judged.
Michael and I have made it our life’s mission to create awareness surrounding suicide, depression, mental illness, substance abuse, bullying and anything else related to suicide prevention. So far we have had a quiz night in February and a Charity Bicycle Ride (5000km) from Geraldton inland through Meekatharra, Newman to Port Hedland. Then rode along the coast all the way back to Geraldton.
Along the way we stopped at mine sites, small towns, and aboriginal communities, schools, on the side of the road and anywhere in between. Where we gave talks and handed out resource packs full of information from all the different organisation such as beyond blue, life line, substance abuse, depression, various mental illnesses and treatments available. We then held a Charity Gala Night in July of this year raising around $10 000 for Suicide Prevention Australia.
Our main goal is to create suicide awareness and prevention, we are also trying to raise as much money as possible to donate to not for profit organisation called ‘Suicide Prevention Australia’ so they can continue to provide the work that they do to stop suicide here in Australia.
The message is if you are having suicidal thoughts, or a feeling so depressed that you do not know how you are going to cope, with life’s stressors, or a personal battles you may be going through then “It’s time to talk”.
Forget the taboo surrounding depression and get the help you need, tell your family, friends, work colleagues, strangers, bosses, medical professionals and anyone else that will listen. It is ok to be feeling the way that you are without being judged. And then get the much needed help you need.
This is to make people aware of our mission and to ask for much needed donations and sponsorship. We will be advertising sponsorship through all our wonderful media channels.
Our sponsors so far for 2014 are: AIRROAD DIRECT, PRESTIGE OFFROAD, OUTDOOR CONNECTION, CENTURY BATTERIES, KPD 4X4, ARB 4 x4 ACCESSORIES, REDARC, CARMANS, 3P – SWITCH STICKS- FOR HIKING/TREKING, LOOP ROPE, UDDER CREAM, OUR ORGANICS.COM, KELLY KETTLE AUSTRALIA, MARS FOODS AUSTRALIA, SOLAR FRUIT DONNYBROOK, YAMAHA, BILLABONG JERKY, CULINARY HQ, BLUE DOG CLOTHING, ONYA, WINCHMAX, SOLARFRUIT, LIGHTFORCE, HTI WATER FILTRATION, MOTOR ACTIVE, APE SUSPENSIONS, NAVAIDS PERTH, EGO PHARMACEUTICALS, GONDWANA CLOTHING, GORDIGEAR, KATHMANDU, NULON, SURVIVAL STOREHOUSE, EPLOROZ, SHOCK WERX, EFS, MEGUIARS, GERALDTON CARAVAN/4WD/CAMPING SHOW, INSPIRED NUTRITION & DIETICS
If you want to help get in touch: www.suicideawareness.simplesite.com www.makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au All money raised will be donated to Suicide Prevention Australia Facebook – Canning Stock Route Walking Trek for Suicide Awareness Email – rosey351 @ bigpond. com
