December 01, 2022

Gumboot Day raises $3m for youth mental health

Adam Gifford Posted On December 1, 2022

More than $3 million has been raised from this year’s Gumboot Day to fund free children’s counseling.

Event founder and I Am Hope charity head Mike King says he was absolutely blown away by New Zealanders’ generosity.

He says they realise if their kids are struggling with mental health, no one from the government is going to come riding in on a white horse to save them.

Gumboot Friday is now New Zealand’s leading counseling service provider for youth under 25 years old.

Demand for sessions more than tripled over the past year, and Mr King expects it could need $200,000 a week for counseling fees by the end of next year.