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November 02, 2022
First responders take steps for Gumboot Friday
Gideon Porter
Posted On November 2, 2022
Download AudioMike King’s Gumboot Friday initiative this week has set a target of raising $5 million for youth mental health.
First responders in Selywn, Canterbury have responded with a sponsored run on Saturday.
Constable Glen Dawson says teams from the New Zealand Defence Force, Civil Defence , Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and St John’s have signed up.
He expects it will be challenging and painful – but worth it.
For us it is just one step in front of the other and while we can feel that little bit of pain for that hour there’s light at the end of our tunnel but for a lot of the people out there that we’re raising money for, they can’t see that light. For them, they feel there is no way out. So what’s a little hurt for us for long term gains for other people hopefully,” Mr Dawson says.
The prevalence of mental distress is almost 50 percent higher among Maori than non-Māori, but Maori are far less likely to access health services .
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