On Friday April 25, Anytime Fitness Mudgee set out to raise $700 during its ‘Tread Together’ campaign, a 24-hour event designed to raise money for suicide awareness.
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At 4pm on Friday, just six hours after it had started, ‘Tread Together’ had already raised its target figure of $700.
This was thanks to the kind donations made by gym-goers who were encouraged to spend some time on the treadmill when they walked into the facilities.
Among those who gave a helping hand was Ken Sutcliffe who walked alongside Mid-Western Regional representatives Des Kennedy, Brad Cam and Sam Paine, as they all helped raise money and awareness for a vital cause.
Ken Sutcliffe has had extensive dealings with suicide prevent throughout his time at the Nine Network and couldn’t stress the importance of the cause and how common depression is.
“The amazing thing about it is the person who’s sitting right beside you, that you think you might know as well as anybody, is absolutely in the depths of despair,” he said.
“And that’s the sum total of it. It’s insidious and most of us, if you haven’t been there, you really can’t understand it. There’s no easy way out.
“You don’t just say ‘he should be on top of the world or he should be on top of the world. I don’t understand these people… why are they so miserable?’”
“That is a peak ignorant response and observation of what’s going on.”
The curious thing about depression and other mental issues that lead to suicide, is that it can’t be pinpointed to a particular group – it can affect anyone.
“It can happen to the happiest and loveliest families you’ve ever come across as much as it can happen to a family that’s in disarray. Depression is not selective,” he said.
“At Channel Nine we continued to pour money into it, do stories on it and try to give people an insight into what people are going through with depression.
“We have seen several high-profile suicides in the last couple of years where these people have amazing lives but the black dog got hold of them.”
Ken also spared a thought for Australia’s farmers, a group that’s going through increasingly large rates of suicide during the dry weather period.
“Right now we should be mindful of them. Really mindful of them,” he said.
“They’re going through a tough period. We’re in the midst of a drought and it must be taking its toll on the farmers.
“Keep an eye out for the guy or lady next door. The farmers, they feature too prominently in the suicide statistics.”