Men and women alike will soon embark on Canberra’s longest multi-day charity fundraiser for Menslink. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Dozens of everyday Canberra heroes are quite literally stepping up to raise funds for a program of vital importance to young men in the nation’s capital.
Thirty-one people – 23 men and eight women – from local businesses and industries have been preparing for the big day this Tuesday (12 November) when they will embark on the Menslink Great Walk 2024 challenge.
The epic five-day walk along Canberra’s Centenary Trail – which at 142 km is longer than the 96 km Kokoda Track and further than the 130 km distance to the Everest Base Camp – is the “jewel in the crown” of the charity’s annual fundraising efforts, according to Menslink CEO Ben Gathercole.
“Something important for our Canberra donors to note is that all the funds will go direct to our programs, which support their young men with the education, mentoring and counselling programs we run for young fellas in the Canberra area,” he says. “The programs we offer to our young men are free, and this funding is critical to ensure it can continue.”
Now in its fourth year, Canberra’s longest multi-day charity fundraiser comes at a time when it has never been more expensive for Menslink to deliver its services, yet demand is higher than ever.
Menslink programs help improve mental fitness, combat domestic violence, reduce youth suicide, increase respect and positive behaviours and create stronger communities.
Ben says the Menslink mandate is also increasingly important in the context of social and political upheaval impacting young men – and the women in their spheres.
“The question comes to me often – why are we a gender-biased service, just for young men?” Ben says.
“It’s simple: we know the ripple effect plays a massive role in the community. By helping young fellas be less aggressive, more engaged at home and better humans in their communities, we’re helping their mums, sisters, aunties and nans in their home environment and their female peers, at work, school and beyond.
“That ripple effect is also the reason we focus on young men aged 10 to 25 – in those formative years when outside influences flowing in through social media have the greatest impact.
“It’s our responsibility to educate young fellas watching those sometimes harmful three-minute snippets on YouTube and so on, about what is and isn’t ok. And it’s better for them to be guided by positive role models as they figure out where they stand and how they want to live their lives.”
The Great Walk this year takes place in reverse order, leaving from Parliament House and heading to Tuggeranong on day one.
About half the walkers are new to the event, with some of the return participants having been there all four years running.
For Managing Partner, Family Lawyer and Mediator at DDCS Lawyers Julie Dobinson, who will this year be taking on her third Great Walk, the walk fuels something of a passion.
“Even before my legal career I have been involved in assisting women who have been impacted by domestic violence. My interest in providing that sort of assistance started in the UK in the early 80s when I worked in a women’s refuge. It’s one of the reasons I became a lawyer,” she says.
“Crisis work and supporting women is essential, but the perspective I bring to supporting Menslink is informed by the fact that you can’t address the root causes of family violence without supporting young men to understand the impacts of it.
“I have two sons and three grandsons and I want them to grow up to be men with good emotional intelligence, who are respectful of women and have healthy levels of self esteem.”
The Great Walk participants have committed to raising at least $10,000 each. To date walkers have raised more than $260,000 through their fundraising efforts, but they still need more support from the Canberra community.
For more information and to donate, visit Menslinkgreatwalk.
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