They’re known for crunching numbers, but the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) Finance & Corporate Services teams have proven they can count their steps as well – all for a good cause!
Throughout the month of May, five teams, made up of over 35 staff took part in NORTH Foundation’s Conquer Kokoda From Home challenge – a virtual walking fundraising challenge, to raise money for mental health services within the health district.
Their goal was to walk or run 96 kilometres in 16 days while encouraging their colleagues, family and friends to show their support by making a donation to support mental health services across the NSLHD. All our participating teams did not disappoint, raising $17,000 so far, with donations continuing to come in as they all finish up their 96km.
Participants who took part in our challenge included Executive Assistant to the Director of Finance Todd Backhouse and Director PPP Contract Administration John Barnard-Richardson. Despite igniting a friendly competition between their two teams, both teams agree that raising awareness of and supporting mental health services is essential to looking after our wider community.
For Todd, taking part in this challenge has provided awareness of how important mental health is. The challenge has allowed them to enjoy the outdoors again and listen to self-help and comedy podcasts.
“Looking after your mental health is extremely important as it affects everything you do and how you interact with others in the community.”
As an avid runner, taking part in the challenge gave John the excuse to do more of what he enjoys with the company of his teammates. But the challenge has also helped him continue the conversation about looking after each other’s mental health in the workplace.
“This time last year everything was so unknown with COVID, so communicating and checking in with each other has helped our team manage the challenges of the last year. It is vital that we continue to lift the social stigma of mental health. There is no set cookie cutter for what mental health can look like”.
Thank you and congratulations to all our Conquer Kokoda fundraisers on their extraordinary efforts. You can continue to support all our teams’ Kokoda journey by visiting https://conquer-kokoda-from-home-2021.raisely.com/donate and making a donation.
Keep an eye out for our other NORTH Foundation Community Fundraising Activities which will be running throughout the year.
