Walk It Off

What started out as a “moment of madness” two years ago has finished as a triumph for six Maroubra mates who walked from the Gold Coast to Sydney, smashing taboos around mental health.

Rise Foundation founder Ben Higgs and friends Shawn Howell, Dave McElhinney, Jason Webb, Steven Heighes and former Penrith Panthers player Darren Brown were flooded with support on their 916km, 15-day journey, raising more than $50,500 for Suicide Prevention Australia.

“We set out to each achieve something different and I have no doubt at all that we all did,” Mr Higgs said on Facebook.

“Stand proud boys. The money raised was amazing and sleep well knowing that you saved lives.”

The group walked up to 60km each day, sleeping in swags, nursing blisters and “rattling bones”, after training hard to ensure they could make it.

Stopping at social and sports clubs and schools, the Walk It Off team spoke to locals to spread their message that keeping problems locked up is no good.

“The well wishes to the boys helped, especially when we pulled up at night ... the support lifted everyone’s spirits and it got hard at times,” Mr Higgs said.

“But we had a few laughs around camp, a few tears, almost a few fights, tantrums ... and almost a couple of cuddles as well.”

A crowd greeted the mates when they arrived in Martin Place on Friday, with some having joined them to walk the final leg.

“What these five guys went through because of an idea I had will never be forgotten by a lot of people and I will forever be in their debt,” Mr Higgs said.