Our thanks to these champions!
Kieran Sutherland, Ironman Melbourne, 25 March 2012
From Kieran's Facebook page 25 March
"Thanks so much to all of you for your support today, it meant a lot and I really appreciate it. I really enjoyed the whole experience, just cruised though pretty much the whole day, and finished feeling really strong. Left a few tears out on the bike course for Jupies."
Kieran Sutherland competed in Ironman Melbourne to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation. Kieran has been affected by mental illness and suicide.
At 17, he lost his dad to suicide and, more recently, lost one of his best friends as well. He's keen to raise as much money as he can in memory of these two special people.
Kieran says he is a huge believer in exercise to increase personal wellbeing, so he has signed up for the challenge, which consisted of a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle ride and a 42.2km run.
You can still donate; please visit his fundraising page where you will see the amount is now over $12,000!
Thank you Kieran!
Samantha's Adidas Auckland Marathon
Samantha Spafford (pictured) ran the Adidas Auckland Marathon on 30 October 2011 to raise awareness and funds for the Mental Health Foundation.
This was Samantha’s first ever marathon, although she has done a number of smaller runs, and admitted to being both nervous and excited about it. She chose to fundraise for the Mental Health Foundation because this is an area she is very passionate about, having worked in the mental health sector for a number of years; she is to complete her Master's in Psychology this year.
“I believe mental health has come a long way in being understood and recognised within the community, but we still have some way to go. One in four people are impacted by mental health problems, the knowledge that there are services out there to help these people but too often they battle on by themselves. Organisations such as Mental Health Foundation NZ are invaluable in promoting good mental health, community awareness and access to appropriate services," she says.
Caroline Campion - Christchurch Marathon
Caroline ran in the SBS Christchurch Marathon (2009) to raise awareness and funds for the Mental Health Foundation. Caroline finished 13th out of 164 women in 3hr 20min 37sec - 8 minutes faster than her previous marathon so she was very happy! She also raised over $900 for the Mental Health Foundation, which is awesome.
Caroline says, "The SBS Christchurch Marathon is my second marathon so far. I realised in my first, that the time and effort put in to participating, for the sole purpose of running, was overlooking opportunities to put the race to good use.
"My decision to raise awareness and funds for the MHF was an easy one. Mental illness is so widely spread in our society and I have experienced its unfortunate and sometimes devastating effect on family and friends. But in recent years I have also seen a greater understanding develop.
"With society's support and knowledge about mental health, those who suffer are given the opportunity to live a normal and enjoyable life. In striving to achieve this acceptance for sufferers, the Mental Health Foundation makes a huge difference to their lives, and I want to help them continue their wonderful support."
Anne Scurr - Motatapu Icebreaker Marathon
Anne took part in the Motatapu Icebreaker Marathon (2009) to raise awareness of depression and funds for the Mental Health Foundation.
Anne says, "It is not until someone close to you is affected that you learn how wide spread mental illness is and the support and resources needed to help them."
"I know this will be the greatest physical challenge I have ever had. But it is nothing compared to the courage and strength shown every day by those suffering from this often hidden illness as they strive to recover the good health and lifestyle most of us take for granted. Their ongoing effort needed for good health is a marathon in itself."
Anne raised over $2,600 for the Mental Health Foundation.
Shona Clarke - Auckland Half Marathon
Despite a calf injury, Shona Clarke ran the Auckland Half Marathon (2007) in 2 hours, 12 minutes and 57 seconds, over 14 minutes faster than her previous time, to benefit the work of the Mental Health Foundation.
Shona says "running a half marathon seemed like a huge but worthwhile challenge. Though I didn't think too much about how the five months of training were also part of the challenge!"
Shona decided to fundraise to give her a reason to run the half marathon other than for herself and to motivate her to get off the couch and run in the winter!
Shona says, "I'm passionate about the mental health of New Zealanders, particularly that of young people, so the Mental Health Foundation was the obvious choice".
Ros McEachern - Kerikeri Half Marathon
Ros MacEachern was not always a fan of running yet she did not let this deter her from her goal of running the Kerikeri Half Marathon (2007) to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation.
Ros says, "I've always HATED running but have been on a bit of a fitness kick and also wanted to set myself a personal challenge".
To get her through her training Ros kept focussing on what it would feel like to cross the finish line "It was an amazing, emotional, moment as I finished" Ros says.
"I chose to support the Mental Health Foundation as I feel they do such a good job of promoting awareness and I want them to continue to do so; mental health is so often a taboo subject and shouldn't be - many of my friends and family, and I, have been affected, directly or indirectly, by mental health and it's just so important for people to be able to talk about it openly."
David Buisson - Windsor UK Half Marathon
David Buisson ran the 2006 Windsor Half Marathon in memory of his younger brother Raymond who died at the age of 21. David put together a team of runners to join him, wearing t-shirts featuring his brother and the logo of the Mental Health Foundation.
David says "I had been wanting to do something for some time in aid of this type of charity and to mark the life and time I shared with my brother."
This was David's very first half marathon and he finished it in a very respectable 1:42:58 despite a knee injury. Support was received from all over the world and raised over $5,000 in donations.
