This marathon runner has a unique way of supporting a local men's charity

Readying herself for the Menslink Great Walk challenge, marathon runner Jess Peil is often asked why she’s investing her considerable abilities in a men’s cause.

You might think it a fair question for a child sex abuse survivor who now campaigns for Bravehearts, an organisation that exists for the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse, of which men represent over 90 per cent of perpetrators.

To Jess, however, the answer is obvious.

“Raising good men helps everybody in the community,” she says. “We can all play a part in that.”

There’s another strong link between the Menslink and Braveheart causes – one based on compassion.

“When it comes to boys and young men you hear a lot of, ‘He’s so naughty, he misbehaves, he’s falling in with the wrong crowd’. Some of these things, however, could be the result of trauma,” Jess says.

“I think it’s more productive to put our energy into helping boys and young men find their voices rather than slapping on a label.”

Now in its fourth year, the Menslink Great Walk will take executives, business representatives and community leaders along the Centenary Trail to raise much-needed funds to support young men in Canberra.

Participants cover 20 to 35 km of the circuit trail a day for five days, but their challenge transcends the physical. Each commits to raising $10,000 to contribute to Menslink to fund its programs.

It comes at a time when Menslink’s services are more expensive than ever to deliver. The organisation is also experiencing record levels of demand for its youth mentoring, counselling and school-based programs, which have been developed to improve mental fitness, combat domestic violence, reduce youth suicide, increase respect and positive behaviours, and help create stronger communities.

At 142 km, this trail is longer than the Kokoda track (96 km) and further than the distance to Everest Base Camp (130 km)

Participants are both male and female.

“I love the male-to-female ratio of the actual walkers. I think it’s wonderful to see so many amazing females who are so supportive of men’s causes because it’s so important,” Jess says.

“Aside from being better for society, we have to remember that there are a lot of good men out there doing incredible things in our communities.”

Jess has a rather unusual tactic in store to help make her fundraising campaign a roaring success – one she has used in her efforts for Bravehearts.

It involves donning a full-body dinosaur costume for 1 km for every $1000 she raises.

“Having a local organisation helping our young boys find the path to becoming amazing men, I want to get right behind raising awareness of that. There are so many organisations out there doing amazing work, and I know it sometimes takes something unique to stand out in the crowd,” Jess says.

“There will be some begging and pleading in my fundraising strategy, but I’m breaking out the dinosaur.”

To support Jess the Dinosaur or the campaign more broadly, visit Menslink Great Walk.