Coolgardie group on track to reach mental health goals

Kms and Convos for R U OK Day Coolgardie has set a cracking pace for a successful fundraiser for mental health.

Group members are on track to walk the 600km they set out to complete as a combined effort.

The group of Coolgardie locals decided to spark the conversation on mental health during July by encouraging residents to come out of their houses and walk as a group before grabbing a coffee or pint to support local businesses.

Kms and Convos for R U OK Day Coolgardie group member Meghan Kent said once the idea blossomed, many locals were interested in being part of the initiative, with between 17 and 26 adults participating in each walk.

Ms Kent said the community had already walked 252.6km as a combined effort, with three organised walks on the calendar before the end of the month.

She said half of the 30 tickets for a Morning Brew event had already been purchased, with money raised from the tickets going straight to R U OK.

“We’ve got our two guest speakers that have been announced, one of which is Sharon Duffy, who is an advocate for mental health facilities in Kalgoorlie, particularly with people under the age of 18,” Ms Kent said.

“And then you’ve got Rongo the strongman, he has a large Instagram following. So I believe his story is very motivating and inspiring as well.”

She said Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent had organised goodie bags and Celebration City had taken care of the decorations for the Morning Brew event.

“(It will be a) really good morning with lots of information ... and stories of people that have had mental health problems or things happen in their life, and they’ve been able to overcome them and use those to better themselves and the communities that they live in,” Ms Kent said.

Ms Kent said their goal was to raise $3000, with the team dropping flyers in letterboxes and knocking on the doors of people who they think might join the walks.

Everyone in town was invited to Karlkurla Park this Sunday at 10am to join them for a walk which would conclude at Centennial Park for a coffee and a conversation.