Great Ocean Walk for Dan and Ash
Donation protected
Thank you to everyone who was able to contribute to this fundraiser, which is now closed for donations. If you'd still like to help, please visit the Beyond Blue or Lighthouse Foundation websites and donate directly. x P
[Update: I smashed all 100km of the walk in three and a half days! Thanks for all the support so far - keep those donations rolling in between now and when we close the fundraiser on Friday June19. x P]
Back in mid March of this year, I received a call I'd been dreading. One of my best friends, Dan, had left us after losing a long-standing battle with depression, anxiety and related illnesses. He had fought bravely and openly, and those closest to him did as much as we could to keep him with us. I miss him dearly, and always will.
Less than two weeks later, I received a second heartbreaking call - this time from my big brother, James. His eldest son, Ash, had also left us after wrestling for years with his own mental illnesses. I know I'm supposed to say this, but I've honestly never had a favourite when it comes to my gang of nieces and nephews - I love them all. Ash was the first that I had the joy to welcome into the world, though, and I vividly remember holding him, proud as punch, on the day he was born. He holds a little spot inside me that no-one else ever will.
I've decided I'd I'd like to do my little bit to raise a few dollars for two organisations:
- Beyond Blue, who offer support to those living through mental illness.
- Lighthouse Foundation, who (in their words) "provides homeless young people from backgrounds of long-term neglect and abuse, with a home, a sense of family, and around-the-clock therapeutic care". Dan had close ties with Lighthouse, having been provided accommodation by them when he was younger, and ongoing support since.
My friends know I'm not averse to a bit of a hike. So...I'm going to see how many kilometers I can put behind me this coming long weekend, between 4pm on Friday June 5th and 10am on Tuesday June 9th. I'll be starting in Apollo Bay, and heading west, camping out each night. For each kilometer I manage to knock down, I'm going to donate $20, to be split between the above two organisations.
I'd like to find 20 friends to collectively match what I'm putting in. That is: 20+ lovely people who are able to chuck in a dollar or two for every kilometer I walk. To give you an idea of how much you might be up for in total, typical maximum distances I've covered in a single day are 20-30km, so I'd be hoping for 60+ km over the 3.5 days, or even completion of the entire 100km, if my little legs hold out.
At the end of my walk, I'll be updating this page, and my Facebook profile, with details of how much ground I managed to cover, so that if you have decided to sponsor me by distance, you'll know how much you'll be up for :) If you'd prefer to donate a fixed amount now - feel free.
If you do think you might be in a position to join me in raising some money, please donate, and please share this page, too, with your friends and family.
X
Pete Skipworth
A few declarations, as required by GoFundMe's policies:
As I have selected to distribute donations made to this campaign to two different charities, I will be withdrawing money
raised on Friday June 19 (giving me a few extra days after my walk to continue canvasing friends, families and associates for donations) and be sending it immediately the funds have cleared to:
- Beyond Blue, via their online donations form. Note that I have not had any direct communication with Beyond Blue regarding this donation.
- Lighthouse Foundation, via a bank transfer to an account nominated by Lighthouse Foundation. I have spoken to Sienna at Lighthouse on the phone who will be providing bank account details before I finish my fundraising hike.
I do not have any affiliations with either of these charities, beyond wanting to help earn money to assist them in their respective missions.
[Update: I smashed all 100km of the walk in three and a half days! Thanks for all the support so far - keep those donations rolling in between now and when we close the fundraiser on Friday June19. x P]
Back in mid March of this year, I received a call I'd been dreading. One of my best friends, Dan, had left us after losing a long-standing battle with depression, anxiety and related illnesses. He had fought bravely and openly, and those closest to him did as much as we could to keep him with us. I miss him dearly, and always will.
Less than two weeks later, I received a second heartbreaking call - this time from my big brother, James. His eldest son, Ash, had also left us after wrestling for years with his own mental illnesses. I know I'm supposed to say this, but I've honestly never had a favourite when it comes to my gang of nieces and nephews - I love them all. Ash was the first that I had the joy to welcome into the world, though, and I vividly remember holding him, proud as punch, on the day he was born. He holds a little spot inside me that no-one else ever will.
I've decided I'd I'd like to do my little bit to raise a few dollars for two organisations:
- Beyond Blue, who offer support to those living through mental illness.
- Lighthouse Foundation, who (in their words) "provides homeless young people from backgrounds of long-term neglect and abuse, with a home, a sense of family, and around-the-clock therapeutic care". Dan had close ties with Lighthouse, having been provided accommodation by them when he was younger, and ongoing support since.
My friends know I'm not averse to a bit of a hike. So...I'm going to see how many kilometers I can put behind me this coming long weekend, between 4pm on Friday June 5th and 10am on Tuesday June 9th. I'll be starting in Apollo Bay, and heading west, camping out each night. For each kilometer I manage to knock down, I'm going to donate $20, to be split between the above two organisations.
I'd like to find 20 friends to collectively match what I'm putting in. That is: 20+ lovely people who are able to chuck in a dollar or two for every kilometer I walk. To give you an idea of how much you might be up for in total, typical maximum distances I've covered in a single day are 20-30km, so I'd be hoping for 60+ km over the 3.5 days, or even completion of the entire 100km, if my little legs hold out.
At the end of my walk, I'll be updating this page, and my Facebook profile, with details of how much ground I managed to cover, so that if you have decided to sponsor me by distance, you'll know how much you'll be up for :) If you'd prefer to donate a fixed amount now - feel free.
If you do think you might be in a position to join me in raising some money, please donate, and please share this page, too, with your friends and family.
X
Pete Skipworth
A few declarations, as required by GoFundMe's policies:
As I have selected to distribute donations made to this campaign to two different charities, I will be withdrawing money
raised on Friday June 19 (giving me a few extra days after my walk to continue canvasing friends, families and associates for donations) and be sending it immediately the funds have cleared to:
- Beyond Blue, via their online donations form. Note that I have not had any direct communication with Beyond Blue regarding this donation.
- Lighthouse Foundation, via a bank transfer to an account nominated by Lighthouse Foundation. I have spoken to Sienna at Lighthouse on the phone who will be providing bank account details before I finish my fundraising hike.
I do not have any affiliations with either of these charities, beyond wanting to help earn money to assist them in their respective missions.
Organizer
Peter Skipworth
Organizer
Port Melbourne, VIC