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
17 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.
Last year 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 of December 2016
Geelong 70.3 – 19th of February 2017
Bendigo Ultimate Triathlon – 12th of March 2017
Challenge Melbourne - 9th of April 2017
Cairns 70.3 - 11th of June 2017
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 and 2 wings for life running events
In 2019 I will be competing in several running events
Run for the kids 7th April 2019 - 12.9km
Angela Taylor memorial event - 28th April - 5km or 10km run/walk distance
Wings for life run - Hawthorn - run along monash freeway
Sunday 5th of May 2019
Run melbourne - Sunday 28th July 2019 - Distance 21.1km
Melbourne marathon festival
Sunday 13th of October 2019 either the 21.1 or 42.2 km distance
So please donate to this worthy cause and help protect the protectors
fightingptsdvicpol
www.protectingtheprotectors.com
