Help Launch a Charity for Veteran’s Mental Health

G’day legends,

My name’s Jono, and I’m the bloke behind Big Reds Aussie Adventures — or B.R.A.A.86 on YouTube. What started as a few fishing trips with a camera has grown into something I never could’ve imagined — and something that’s now driving a much bigger mission.

A few years ago, I was told that due to both mental and physical health issues, I was no longer able to work. That hit me hard. I was raised to believe that providing for your family was your responsibility — and hearing that news made me feel like I’d failed not just myself, but my family too.

Some mates suggested I try YouTube — something to help fill the void that came with no longer being able to work. I laughed it off at first — reckoned there were already too many people doing it. But they told me to do something that actually meant something to me… something I was passionate about. And that’s how Big Reds Aussie Adventures was born.

I decided I’d use it as a platform to help raise awareness for mental health within the veteran community — something that hits very close to home.

This matters to me for a few big reasons:

1️⃣ I’ve personally struggled with my own mental health.

2️⃣ I’ve lost mates and colleagues to suicide.

3️⃣ I’ve had family members who’ve come close to losing their own battles.

Up until now, I’ve been funding this myself, and as the channel has started to gain momentum, I’ve had multiple people reach out asking how they can contribute or donate. I feel like the best step forward now is to officially turn Big Reds Aussie Adventures into a charity. I’m seeking help to raise the funds needed to make that happen — to turn this dream into a legitimate charity so others can donate and help us grow the mission, reach more people, and continue raising awareness.

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This GoFundMe is to help us:

✅ Become a registered charity

Produce more content

⚓ Get more veterans out on the water

Share more powerful stories

Reach more people who might be struggling in silence

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Through our YouTube episodes, we bring veterans together for a day out on the water — completely free for them — to reconnect, open up, and realise they’re not alone. Sometimes it’s the simple things — a fish, a laugh, a chat — that can turn someone’s day, or even life, around.

Every donation helps us grow this mission and support more veterans doing it tough. And if you can’t donate, even just sharing this helps more than you know.

Thanks for backing me — and for backing our veterans.

Much love,

Jono

️ YouTube – B.R.A.A.86

TikTok: @b.r.a.a.86

Instagram: @b.r.a.a.86