It’s official – an impressive $2, 041,537 was raised by Sydney Coastrek teams at the annual walk for mental health on Sydney’s eastern beaches on Friday 25 March. The amount far exceeded the event’s fundraising goal, which was initially set at $1.65 million, and will support Beyond Blue’s 24/7 support service, connecting all Australians with immediate support, advice and referrals when they need it most.
Over 1800 trekkers in teams of four walked either 60km, 45km or 30km from La Perouse through to Coogee, Bondi and Vaucluse and over the Harbour Bridge into Kirribilli, showcasing the benefits of walking with nature on mental health, having completed a comprehensive 12-week training program in preparation for the event.
Respected women in media, Jennifer Byrne, Angela Mollard and Jacinta Tynan walked as Coastrek ambassadors alongside a diverse group of trekkers with many multi-generational teams making up the 90% female participants.
This year’s event also saw a 20% increase in corporate team registrations as organisations prioritise workplace wellbeing and ways they can bring remote workforces together to initiate a more active workplace while supporting a good cause.
“A significant focus was given to preventative health in the federal budget and Coastrek is an ideal program to train for and complete to maintain better physical and cardiovascular health and contribute to improved management of mental health,” said Coastrek Founder and & CEO, Di Westaway OAM.
“It was great to see Sydney’s eastern beaches coastal track full of Coastrekkers on event day walking for mental health and enjoying the benefits of walking in nature.”
Each contact to the 24/7 Beyond Blue Support Service costs around $48 to answer and relies on community fundraising, so Coastrek’s fundraising efforts are greatly needed said Georgie Harman, CEO Beyond Blue:
“Thanks to the efforts of trekkers, the Beyond Blue Support Service can be there for thousands of people when they need it most and I thank the trekkers and everyone who has donated for their continued support.”
The next Coastrek event takes place on the stunning Mornington Peninsula on Friday 27 May with popular Melbourne personalities, radio and TV presenter Jo Stanley and comedian Libbi Gorr walking as Coastrek ambassadors and aiming to reach a $2.5 million fundraising target.
Further events are scheduled for the Sunshine Coast in July, Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia in September and a brand new event in Margaret River in October. Visit www.coastrek.com.au for further information.
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About Wild Women on Top and Coastrek
Established in 2004, Wild Women on Top is one of Australia’s largest and longest running women’s health movements. Their mission is to connect, coach and champion women in the in the outdoors through community hiking adventures and their flagship Coastrek program of events around Australia.
Since the first event in 2009, Coastrek has transformed millions of lives globally with over 40,000 trekkers in its 13-year history raising nearly $40 million, firstly through an 11-year partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation and since 2020 with Beyond Blue. To date, nearly 2 million kilometres have been trekked by women who have trained and completed a Coastrek challenge – that’s 40 times around the world!
In 2020, Founder & CEO Di Westaway was awarded an OAM for services to women’s health, fitness and charity services. She is an authority on lifestyle health and wellness and trek training and has authored two books: ‘Natural Exhilaration’ and ‘How to Prepare for World Class Treks’. She also holds the world record for the highest handstand at 6,982m above sea level on Mt Ama Dablam, Nepal.
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