In a bid to raise awareness about depression and suicide, Rob Povey and friend Bill Northcott performed 1000 reps of lifting a 72-kilogram sandbag over a bar at the Mount Gambier Rail Lands on Sunday.
Suicide is the leading cause of death in Australia for people aged 15 to 44 and Povey and Northcott lost a friend to suicide last year, so they wanted to do something to help make a difference.
“I think we needed to do something ourselves to help process that as well, anything to help and stop or limit it so things like this do not happen again,” he said.
Povey said they chose to support Black Dog Institute because it was a mental health research institution leading the way with digital tools, apps, support groups, treatments and workshops for health professionals.
“They’re doing a lot of good things in Australia, so that’s why we went down that path,” he said.
The duo started lifting at 7am and finished at 12:30pm, with Povey saying due to the purpose, the cause and the drive they had, it made it easy to power through the pain.
“Once you get going, you’re doing it for a purpose, you sort of drive through,” he said.
“Anything we suffer is nothing compared to what someone has to go through dealing with mental health themselves, so it’s pretty easy on our end.”
Povey said quite a few people attended the rail lands to watch, with many walking past and showing support, even receiving assistance to set up from a passer-by.
“It was a good feel, it was good support that came down, we really appreciated it,” he said.
Povey thanked everyone for their support and said all the donations they received were amazing.
“The donations are so much appreciated,” he said.
“It’s not about just the money, it’s about raising awareness and getting people to understand there could be a friend out there or a family member in trouble and just reach out to them.
“We all need to take care of ourselves and watched a loved one in pain activates the same emotions, the same reactions, as if we were feeling the pain ourselves.”
Povey’s goal was to raise $1000 and they are still accepting donations. To donate, visit a Black Dog Team website and search for their fundraiser or find links via Povey or Northcott’s Facebook and Instagram.
