SIX mountains, nil suicides.
This is what two former Orange students hope to conquer in a year’s time.
Former Kinross Wolaroi School students Maddie and Will Gay lost their father, Tony, to suicide in 2009 and created the 6NIL Challenge to raise money for suicide prevention.
“Even for families who know [their loved one is] at significant risk, it’s always a surprise. It’s something you would never expect,” Ms Gay said.
With the money raised from the challenge going to Lifeline, Ms Gay hopes it will help at-risk people in rural and regional areas.
“Definitely in small communities, stigma affects a lot of people and they don’t want to put their hand up to ask for help,” she said.
“Country people seem to be disadvantaged because of the isolation. More online services are popping up, but it’s important to keep that personal connection.”
The sister and brother duo, who grew up in Reids Flat near Boorowa, will tackle Mt Kosciusko, Africa’s Mt Meru, Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya, Mt Kinabalu in Asia, and South America’s Machu Picchu.
Their fundraising total is approaching $17,000, but they hope to extend it to $250,000 by the time they set off on their first climb in September 2015.
The feat will take three months.
Ms Gay said they wanted to challenge themselves and set a goal that would start conversations in the community about mental illness and suicide prevention.
“Mountains exemplify the journey through the ups and downs of life,” she said.
“Dad always said ‘bite off more than you can chew and chew like crazy.’
“I think he’d be really proud.”
The siblings have started training with long-distance walks, but hope to intensify their preparation with altitude training next year.
For more information on the challenge or to donate, visit 6nil.com.
If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au
