Miffy's Fight for Youth Mental Health (Youthline)

Whakarongo mai, e hoa mā! I am taking part in Boxing Alley's 8 week 'Fit to Fight' challenge, training like a boxer and raising funds for Youthline (Te Ara Taiohi - Hakatapu Kia Ora Ai), before putting everything to the test in a final body-sparring match!

There is no way I could get in the ring and fight without a purpose. There was no way I could fight my way through life without a purpose either. I found Youthline at 19years old, just at the beginnings of my journey unravelling my struggles and thoughts of suicide beginning as a child, and the painful life experiences that had led me there. I was pretty unsure of this life of mine, but I was inspired by the community of people Youthline provided that were there for any young person at any time of the day or night, when they really needed someone in their corner. Youthline accepted me, nurtured the wisdom in my heart from what I had overcome and gave me the skills and platform to have a purpose: to be the adult I really needed but never had growing up.

Personal motivations aside, Youthline is a 24/7 national helpline that does essential work every day, reaching across all communities of our struggling, unsafe and suicidal young people. It costs 1.3million dollars annually to fund the helpline service. A service that provides LIFE CHANGING and LIFE SAVING phone, txt, email and webchat counselling support.

If you want to join in the good fight for youth mental health and safety; if you want to tell young people what they experience matters, that they are valid and that their wellbeing and easy access to counselling is worth investing in; and/or you just want to give me a little cheer as I prepare for fight night, PLEASE DONATE NOW!