Currently trekking his way to Sydney on foot, 18-year-old Alex Cooke from Melbourne is on a 1060 kilometre journey to raise money and awareness for depression and anxiety.
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Having left Melbourne’s Federation Square on New Year’s Day, Cooke has given himself the challenge to arrive at Sydney’s Opera House on Australia Day.
Averaging 42 kilometres a day, Cooke said he is confident he will make his deadline and hopes to hit his target of $15,000 for beyondblue.
“I’ve been getting a bit sore, but I’m pushing through it,” Mr Cooke said.
“I’m on the A1 Princes Highway at the moment.”
Mr Cooke walked into Eden on Monday, having walked around 30 kilometres when we caught up with him just past Nullica River at 3pm in the afternoon. He planned to spend the night in Eden before recommencing his journey northwards on Tuesday morning.
Mr Cooke said he has seen a number of his friends affected by depression and anxiety, either because they have experienced these conditions personally or one of their family members has so he wanted to do something that could help.
“I wanted to do something big both morally and effort wise after school that could help people,” he said.
“My family has been a great support and helped me every step of way with organizing and they are always on call.
“My dad has helped me in certain areas but I’ve mostly been doing the trip solo
“I’d like to get close to or more than my donation quota…so far the response has been unbelievably brilliant and I’ve just passed $4,100.”
Mr Cooke said he has seen firsthand, some of the best people he knows struggle with depression and it breaks his heart.
“I feel very strongly about the work of beyondblue in helping people seek treatment and take back control of their lives,” he said.
Alex trained throughout October for the journey, spending many hours running the foreshore near his home in Port Melbourne.
To donate to Cooke and his beyondblue journey visit give.everydayhero.com/au/alex-cooke-australia-day-melbourne-to-sydney-hypermarathon-2014.
Alex trained throughout October for the journey, spending many hours running the foreshore near his home in Port Melbourne.
To donate to Cooke and his beyondblue journey visit give.everydayhero.com/au/alex-cooke-australia-day-melbourne-to-sydney-hypermarathon-2014.
