About 130 people walked, jogged and rode horseback along 42km of Cape York’s dusty corrugated roads recently to raise awareness of mental health issues.
Organised by Emma Jackson, Wolverton Station, Shelly Radlof, Weipa, and Jodi Hamilton and Rachel Nowlan, both of Coen, Conquer the Corrugations started in memory of Dillon Jackson, Wolverton Station, who took his own life in 2014.
Co-organiser Emma Jackson, Wolverton Station, said conditions were hot and painful for many, but participants encouraged and offered support to each other.
“Last year we only had seven people who managed to walk the whole way whereas this year we must have had about 70 people who made the whole distance,” Mrs Jackson said.
“It is not about achieving the whole walk, but giving it a go and working through the personal challenge. Some walked a few kilometres and some walked the whole walk.
“Each person has their own story, however, every person is walking in support of those affected by mental health issues and in honour of loved ones lost.
“We need to turn the statistics around for suicide and bring the rates down.”
Mrs Jackson said the event was run entirely on community support, with monetary, food and prize donations and volunteers.
“There is no fee to register or participate and people came from all over for the walk,” Mrs Jackson said.
