Marathon virgins running for mental health awareness

$1,519 of $1,500 goal

Given by 37 generous donors in around 4 months

Father and son team running their first ever marathon to raise funds for IAMHOPE to provide a brighter future for NZ youth.

Mount Eden, Auckland

Mark and Matthew are a father and son who have decided to run their first ever full marathon in Queenstown, on Saturday the 18th of November 2023.

Mark has been a police officer for 29 years, the last 20 of those in Counties Manukau District. His work regularly brings him into contact with people suffering with their mental health. Matthew is a student at Victoria University of Wellington. Both have seen first-hand the positive benefits that exercise can have on mental health.

When Mark had an epiphany, and decided to run a full marathon to raise funds for IAMHOPE, Matthew immediately offered to join him on the adventure. They have been training in different cities but can't wait to meet up in Queenstown in November to complete their first ever marathon.

I AM HOPE Foundation was founded by Mike King and aims to create positive societal attitudinal change. We know our youth struggle with distressing self-talk and overthinking, leaving them feeling isolated and alone. When we show them these thoughts are universal, we can give our kids a better life.

Any donation will help to provide free, life-saving counselling for our young people and will make the pain of running 42.2kms worth every single blister.

Latest update

We all raised more than $1500 4 December 2023

Fundraiser has just closed and, thanks to each and every one of you, we raised just over $1500 for IAMHOPE.

Matthew and I are so grateful to each and every person who has supported us with donations and encouragement.

We honestly don’t think any of you realise just how much motivation was generated by your support.

As with any endurance race, there were times when negative thoughts crept in. All we had to do was think of all of you who had offered words of encouragement, generous donations or were even just following live on Strava. We didn’t want to let any of you down.

When we reminded ourselves of your support, the negative thoughts disappeared like magic and were replaced with a steely determination to live and love every single moment of the marathon.

We still can’t believe how enjoyable we found running 42.2kms and it was all thanks to each and every one of you.

Thank you 🙏 🥰

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On average, fundraisers pay just 2% to use Givealittle. This is one of the lowest effective fees in New Zealand fundraising. We charge a 5% platform fee to cover the cost of running the platform. Because most donors choose to top up their donation to cover this fee, the effective cost paid by fundraisers is about 2%. That means around 98 cents of every dollar raised goes to the cause. Learn More

Latest donations

Deepak Bhakoo on 03 Dec 2023

Great stuff, Mark & Matthew 👏👏👏 Keep up the good work 👌🏼

$51

Mark Fleming

Thank you so very much for your generous donation and support. It means a lot to us and also means a lot to those who will be helped by this 🙏

Denise on 02 Dec 2023

Great job guys!!

$30

Mark Fleming

Thank you, Denise, for your kind donation and support.

Michael on 02 Dec 2023

$50

Mark Fleming

Thank you so much for your generous donation, Mike, it truly means a lot

Tyson on 01 Dec 2023

Congrats Mark and son. What an awesome effort, I know you've put in the mahi. Cheers for doing it for a great cause.

$50

Mark Fleming

Thank you so much for your kind words and generous donation. Together we can make a real difference to the lives of young people in their time of need.