24 Hours, 3 Friends, 1 Cause: Rowing for Youth Mental Health with I Am Hope on Gumboot Friday

On a sunny November morning, three friends—Ryan, V, and I (Staf)—stand side by side in front of a rowing machine - it marks the beginning of our 24-hour row for Gumboot Friday. The stakes are high, but the cause is even greater.

I Am Hope is a charity close to our hearts. Their mission is simple but profound: to offer free, immediate counseling services to young Kiwis under 25. Mental health is an issue that touches us all, whether directly or through loved ones. For too many young people, the struggle is silent, the battle invisible, and finding the right support can be daunting. Since 2019, I Am Hope has provided over 100,000 therapy sessions, offering a lifeline to those in need. Gumboot Friday, their annual fundraising day, is a chance for the entire country to come together and show these young people that they are not alone.

When we learned about the impact of this initiative, we knew we had to step up. The idea of a 24-hour row was born - something that would push us, much like the struggles faced by those battling mental health issues. From 9 a.m. on Nov 1st, we will row through the night, determined to raise awareness and funds for a cause that gives so much to our community.

We’ll row in shifts, encouraging each other through the dark hours of the night, just as I Am Hope supports young people through their hardest days. This row is our way of saying that mental health matters, that help should be available to everyone and that no one should face their struggles alone.