Challenge Wanaka 2022 - Competing for Gumboot Friday

What we are doing

We are all affected by mental health issues and suicide, either personally or through friends and family. We are here to help aid more people by raising money for Gumboot Friday, an initiative by ‘The Key to Life Charitable Trust’ where funds go towards supporting young people who are struggling with their mental health. They help connect young people with existing counsellors or therapists and provide funding so that kids get help as soon as they need it.

Mental Health is extremely important to our team, therefore we have decided to challenge ourselves to train and complete the ‘Challenge Wanaka’ triathlon event as a team. This event currently exceeds our experience and training to a huge extent. The 1.9km swimming leg will be done by Mackenzie, who has never swum an event in open water. Andrew will be completing the 90km bike, which is 75km greater than he has ever ridden a bike. Lastly, the 21.1km run will be done by Jacob, who has never run further than 10km before.

Why is this important to us?

Figures released last year by the Ministry of Justice showed New Zealand’s suicide rates had increased for four consecutive years and are one of the leading countries in the world for youth suicide. Last year in New Zealand 137 young people died by suicide and it is estimated another 3,500 attempted to take their own lives. While Government agencies are doing their best, some kids are waiting up to six months to receive the counselling they so urgently need.

What is the money used for?

100% of your donation is used to fund counselling for Kiwi kids and young people. Kids (with the support of their adult supporters) can make an appointment directly with a counsellor or therapist that meets I AM HOPE’s criteria. The therapist or counsellor can directly invoice The Key to Life Charitable Trust for the cost of the appointment. This will ensure 100% of your donation goes directly where it's needed: to kids and young people getting the help and support they need when they need it most.

I AM HOPE is an initiative by The Key to Life Charitable Trust, a fundraising and advocacy organisation, which supports young people who are struggling with their mental health. We help connect young people with existing counsellors or therapists and provide funding so that kids get help as soon as they need it. The Key to Life Charitable Trust is a registered charity (registration number CC44260) and overseen by a board of trustees, including mental health professionals.

Every donation whether big or small, directly supports kids in need. Huge thank you to all supporters and those able to donate.