Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has sent a letter of thanks to Tura Beach runner Dane Waites for choosing to support beyondblue.
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After years of fundraising and thousands of hours of training, Dane Waites is only a couple of weeks away from departing for his Perth to Pambula journey.
Dane has classic autism, and is clinically regarded as ‘disabled’.
While he will be running the 4000 kilometres to raise money for autism research and support, he has also chosen to raise money for beyondblue.
Dane’s mother, Junee Waites, said most people think of Dane and identify the autism, but not many people know he has also struggled with his mental health.
“He has been suicidal and his decision to raise money for beyondblue wasn’t just because he thought it was a nice thing to do, it’s a lived thing,” she said.
Junee said Dane wants to show people struggling with depression and anxiety that it can get better and there is a lot of support out there.
Earlier this month, Julia Gillard, the new director of beyondblue, wrote a letter to Dane, thanking him for his fundraising efforts and reiterating the important work beyondblue does every single day.
“I wanted to thank you for choosing to fundraise for beyondblue by running from Perth to Pambula,” Ms Gillard wrote in the letter.
“The challenge of running over 4000 kilometres across Australia is extraordinary. I am sure the training you have undertaken since representing Australia at the Dublin Special Olympics has prepared you well.
“During 2015-16 over 161,000 Australians contacted the beyondblue support service, more than 700,000 visited our online peer support forums and there were over seven million visits to our websites. Many were seeking advice or information; others were in crisis; and many wanted to talk through their concerns – either with a mental health professional on our 24/7 Support Service or with someone who has been through a similar experience through our online forums.
“Today, more than three million Australians are living with depression and or anxiety. Having free access to practical and professional support is vital to empowering people in their recovery.
“Your contribution ensures beyondblue can continue to offer evidence based support and information to any person in Australia, at any age or stage and wherever they live.
If this has raised concerns for you, contact one of the following organisations:
Lifeline: 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467, www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
beyondblue: 1300 22 4636, www.beyondblue.org.au