I am a current serving member with Victoria Police and over the past few years I have observed friends and work colleagues leaving the job due to PTSD. Some have committed suicide whilst some are on a long waiting list of up to 18 months for PTSD treatment.

It not only effects them personally it also effects family and friends

18 years ago I recall my first day walking into the Victoria Police Academy and hearing the words -

"'Welcome, you are just about to have a front row seat to the greatest show on earth, You will see and encounter everything first hand, You will deal with situations that no one would think could or should ever occur. You will have to make split decisions on the spot and have no time to think about it. You will just do it"

My campaign with the assistance of The Blue Ribbon Foundation is to raise awareness and funds to battle the black dog

Thank you to the VIctoria Police Association, ESSSuper, Bank VIC and my triathlon club - Mornington Peninsula Triathlon Club who have assisted in helping me spread awareness

My aim is to raise over $30,000 towards hospital engagement and to make a specialised emergency services PTSD clinic.

All donations raised are being held in the Blue Ribbon Mental Health Fund

I am using exercise and entering various events to promote my campaign.

3 years ago my campaign coincided with the MPTC will be celebrating 30 years of Triathlons.

So far I have completed the Noosa Triathlon Olympic Distance race in October 2016 and 2017 - This consists of a 1.5 km swim, 40 km Bike ride and a 10 Km run.

I also completed Five Half Ironman events

Ballarat 70.3 – 11th December 2016
Geelong 70.3 – 19th February 2017
Bendigo Ultimate Triathlon – 12th March 2017
Challenge Melbourne - 9th April 2017
Cairns 70.3 - 11th June 2017
Geelong 70.3 - 23rd February 2020

These races consist of a 1.9 km Swim, 90 km bike ride and a 21 km run.

I have also completed the Melbourne Half Marathon running event x 2 and 3 Wings for life running events

In 2019 I completed these running events

Run for the kids 7th April 2019 - 12.9km

Wings for life run - Hawthorn -
Sunday 5th of May 2019

Run Melbourne - Sunday 28th July 2019 - Distance 21.1km

Melbourne Marathon - Sunday 13th October 2019 Distance 42.2km

Now for 2020 there will be several events that I will continue to raise awareness

I just completed the Geelong 70.3 Half Ironman triathlon

Next will be the Vicpol emergency service games, Angela Taylor memorial run, run for the kids and Melbourne Marathon Festival and will finish the year with the Melbourne 70.3 Half Ironman triathlon event in November 2020

So please donate to this worthy cause and help protect the protectors

fightingptsdvicpol

www.protectingtheprotectors.com