ONE man’s multi-marathon run from Mildura to Echuca will help fund headspace’s outreach mental health services to the Gannawarra region.
Forty-year-old Echuca builder Ben Welch will begin his four-day, 380km run on Monday to raise awareness and funds for Mallee mental health support.
Gannawarra Shire Council and Northern District Community Health invite the community to cheer Mr Welch into town at 12pm on Thursday, March 6, as he runs the fourth leg to Gunbower.
He is undertaking the challenge to honour the 10-year anniversary of his brother Jai’s passing at Mildura Base Public Hospital after a ski racing accident, and his younger brother Zac, who died by suicide in October 2022.
All funds raised will be split evenly between headspace Swan Hill, Mildura and Echuca to support youth mental health.
In nine years, headspace Swan Hill has provided support to 3719 young people more than 20,196 appointments, in a service area of over 35,000 square kilometres and six shires, including Gannawarra, Buloke, Balranald, Murray, Yarriambiack and Swan Hill.
While the headspace Swan Hill centre is over 100km away from many of the communities in the service area, it is the closest centre.
Headspace Swan Hill manager Hayley Neuschafer said the funds will go towards expanding the centre’s capacity to provide outreach services to the Swan Hill region.
“Since headspace Swan Hill opened its doors in January 2016, we have developed and expanded our model ‘to reach those who can’t reach us’ in the many surrounding small rural communities with limited resources, poor internet connection and barriers to transportation,” she said.
“We place real value on our outreach model, and it is vitally important that we do whatever we can to ensure support is provided to all young people, wherever they live.
“The donations that headspace Swan Hill receives from Ben in his gruelling challenge will be utilised to ensure that our centre continues to provide these outreach services, with the potential to expand on them and provide support to even more communities across our regions.
“On behalf of our centre, I want to say a massive thanks to Ben for investing in our communities and in our next generation.”
Mr Welch said one of his motivations to run the equivalent of nine marathons was to educate the Mallee community about positive mental health.
“The money we are raising is obviously important, but I want to help kids understand the importance of mental health and talking about how they’re feeling, and to let them know how to ask for help when they’re struggling with life,” he said.
“I want people to come with me on this journey and join this conversation that is so vital to help protect and nurture the precious young minds of our next generation and educate people on the importance of purpose, connection and wellbeing in our community.
“If I can reach kids with my message and prevent them from doing what Zac did, then every single step in every single kilometre every day will have been worth it.
“I know the pain I’m about to endure while tackling this challenge is going to be immense, but I assure you it will be nothing like the pain my family and I have already been through.”
Mr Welch has raised more than $200,000 of his $444,444 goal.
The significance of the number 444 relates to Mr Welch’s family.
Island Cooler was a boat the family raced with #444 and his brother Zac had #444 tattooed on the left side of his chest in honour of the many memories the family shared while racing on the Murray River.
Mr Welch left Mildura at 4:44am on Monday, the final leg from Gunbower to Echuca on Friday is 44km, and he aims to arrive in Echuca at 4:44pm.
His entire run is expected to take four days, four hours and 44 minutes.
The first leg started at Mildura Base Public Hospital and finished at Jai’s memorial plaque in Robinvale that afternoon.
On Thursday, he will run his fourth leg from Lake Charm to Gunbower, running through Cohuna for lunch at the Garden Park.
Follow Mr Welch’s journey on Instagram at @the_444_run.
To support The 444 Run, attend the community event on Wednesday at headspace Swan Hill or at gofundme.com/f/the-444-run.
Cohuna community celebration
12-2pm Thursday, March 6
Garden Park near The Gateway Centre, Cohuna
Sausage sizzle provided
Cheer Ben Welch into town as he starts to make his way to the last leg of his Murray Marathon and listen to his story about his personal challenge to raise funds and awareness for headspace.
