A message from Ben:
“For my third Run for Mental Health challenge I wanted to do something that people thought was crazy, unachievable and downright ridiculous. Laps for Lads ticked all these boxes and running 775kms in 7 days around a 330-metre school oval definitely got people to take notice and talk about their mental health.
I also strive to complete these crazy runs to break down perceived limits of what people believe that they can do. I want people to know that anything is possible and to never settle for anything less than the impossible. I put myself on the line publicly knowing that there is a high possibility of failure and I’m okay with that because I want people to know that it’s okay to fail because it’s more important to try.
Along with this massive challenge I set an equally massive fundraising target of $20,000. This was double the amount of the last two challenges.
Together with help from the Tasmanian community we held morning teas, raffles, a silent auction with 20 items generously donated. Students from GYC sold Stay ChatTY wristbands, we received community grants, people created their own crazy challenges and fundraisers, topped off by the many generous donations online and in person up at the oval during the run.
Well that huge combined effort paid off because I can now proudly reveal to you all that Laps for Lads raised a huge $20,137 for SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.
This was a combined effort from everyone, and you should all be proud of what we were able to achieve.
To Mitch and the crew from SPEAK UP Stay ChatTY I’m always proud to support you because I can see the difference you have made in Tasmania, we can all see it! From seeing your stickers on cars to contributing to the reduction of suicide rates here in Tasmania. I’m so proud of what you have achieved in such a small amount of time and I know that this money will go towards the important work that you do that impact us all here in Tasmania.
Thank you to you all”.
