Due Drop Hope Challenge

A group of passionate Kiwis, including Mike King and some of New Zealand’s favourite former athletes, have taken part in ‘The Due Drop Hope Challenge‘ this month to raise money and awareness around youth mental health in New Zealand for I AM HOPE and Gumboot Friday charities.

This gruelling physical and mental challenge kicked off on the 11th of April 2023 and has involved running, cycling and swimming 1,063 kilometres from Cape Reinga to Parliament with a goal to raise enough money to cover 1,063 counselling sessions for our young people in need of support.

The relay event will conclude on the 26th of April with a hīkoi to Parliament led by Mike King, where he will meet with a government representative to convey the group’s concerns regarding the critical need for leadership and decisive action on improving youth mental health in New Zealand. You can still donate once the event has finished, see below for details.

One Step, One Arm Stroke, One Conversation

On the way down the North Island, the athletes and their supporters will engage with local iwi, communities, schools, and businesses to encourage participation, whether it be running a kilometre with the team or meeting them at the finish line.

King, who has been training with the group for the biggest physical challenge of his life, points out once again, legendary Kiwis rise to the occasion to get our rangatahi the help they need… “Inaction is injustice, and we’re taking action. If those in power won’t do anything about our kids’ suffering, we will, and we are. Who knows if I’ll make it out the other end of this, but I am going all in.” – Mike King, Mental Health Advocate

Ian Jones says the group of likeminded and probably “somewhat crazy old mates” are putting themselves through their paces to bring to the forefront the hopelessness and profound suffering that afflicts young people in New Zealand, driving New Zealand’s “absolutely tragic” suicide statistics. “Encouraged by our previous efforts in the Great Barrier Challenge, we hope to raise money and awareness around mental health for Mike King’s I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday charities. The distance between Cape Reinga and Parliament is 1,063 kilometers, and our goal is to raise enough money to cover 1,063 counselling sessions.” – Ian Jones, Former New Zealand rugby player, the Kamo Kid

“New Zealand has one of the highest teenage suicide rates in the world. Everyday our children suffer from depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other mental health challenges, and we need more people to be talking about it, with urgency.
Most of the participants in our group are not professional or seasoned athletes, but we’re putting ourselves through acute pain in the hope of the country taking notice of the pain our children are in.” – Rick Wells, Former World Triathlon champion

Check out the Gum Boot Friday social pages for updates and information on the event: @gumbootfriday and @duedrophopechallenge

“Fixing youth mental health is a team effort”

Everyone in New Zealand has some stake in mental health, and everyone in New Zealand can be part of the solution. Working together, we can forever change the face of youth mental health. Gumboot Friday gives young Kiwis, our precious rangatahi, free and fast access to qualified counselling. This service relies on the continued generosity of many New Zealanders. They need our help, we need yours.

Ways you can donate to I AM HOPE and Gumboot Friday:

Donate via the Due Drop Hope Challenge Givealittle Page here

Gift a counselling session from worth $140.00 via the I AM HOPE website here

Text ‘BOOTS’ to 469 to donate $3 for free kids counselling, or find other donation options here

RUN FOR HOPE

On Sunday 29 October 2023, the Auckland marathon will take place, and we invite you to join us in raising funds for I AM HOPE. By joining our team, you will not only be taking part in a world-class sporting event, but you will also be helping us to achieve our goal of promoting positive change around mental health.

For anyone 25 and under who needs the support of a counsellor go to the Gumboot Friday website here. There is free counselling available for face to face or digital therapy.

At I AM HOPE we’re about NORMALISING THE INNER CRITIC. The voice inside all of our heads that has us second- guessing everything we do. The voice of doubt that beats us up and tells us we’re failures, that we’re worthless. Having an overactive inner critic is not a sign of mental illness, it’s a sign we are normal.