Covid-19 won't keep him down, but almond harvest will keep his training to a minimum.
Social distance is something Luke is an expert at. Hell, he can go weeks and probably months without coming within 10 feet of another human, including those he works with on the almond farm he manages, so this Corona Virus is having little impact on his lifestyle or training schedule.
Almond harvest, however, is playing more havoc with his training schedule than any virus ever could.
Luke has pledged to run the Melbourne Marathon on October 4, if he can get each one of those 42 kilometres sponsored to the tune of $1,000 each, or thereabouts, he's happy to surpass that, and with forecasts currently, it looks as though he might over the next 7 months.
Given the global climate and cancellation of large scale events right now, the question has been asked "What if the Melbourne Marathon is cancelled?"
Well, what if?
42.195 kilometres can be run anywhere, and in fact, it's the exact distance from his home to the town of Manangatang, which is also a town supported by the Robinvale District Health Services.
So whilst pledges, donations and merchandise sales have the target figure rising in excess of $13,500, the cancellation of the event is the last thing on Luke's mind.
The mental health and access to relevant services is now more important than perhaps it's ever been.
Robinvale has seen the effects of panic buying, self isolation and a severe downturn in retail and hospitality business since the spread of the Corona Virus, and into the future this is bound to weigh even more heavily on local primary producers, small business owners & residents, so it's more important that this campaign continues than it has ever been. It might even be a good thing if the marathon event is cancelled, and Luke has to run from Robinvale to Manangatang. Imagine the support he'd have along the way.
The sale of 42K For 42K merchandise has begun with keep cup's being sold at local coffee houses & convenience stores. In addition to 100% of the $20 retail price of these cups going to the cause, $1 from each refill is also going straight to the cause also.
Hats, t-shirts and cups are now available for sale on the website. but stock may be limited for the foreseeable future.
BACKGROUND
42K for 42K is a proactive fundraising campaign for Robinvale District Health Services to make a FREE weekly drop in mental health clinic in Robinvale a reality, which is a service so desperately required in Robinvale
The agricultural district of Robinvale, pop. 7,995, is geographically isolated from major infrastructure and services. However, Robinvale produces some of the best fruits, vegetables and nuts in Australia. Water skiers & wake boarders travel from far and wide for the long wide stretches of the Murray River. It's a truly remarkable place, but a dark cloud hangs above and it is simply not being addressed.
We are all sick of attending funerals, but there are zero mental health services or resources within 100km, and in a small town the nationally alarming rate of mental illness and suicide is even more amplified.
After hearing Nova 100's Jonathan Brown's efforts last year in NYC, Luke was inspired to do something to really make a difference on the ground in our community.
Luke Benham, 36, is leaving his inactive and indulgent lifestyle as a retired country footballer behind and coming off the farm to to get blokes talking and to ultimately give them someone to talk to on the ground, locally & free of charge.
Luke has suffered depression since he was 17 and has recently discovered that talking with others who are suffering can be quite empowering and wants to encourage other men to talk before it's too late.
Robinvale District Health Services Board and CEO Mara Richards are thrilled with the initative and will be providing Luke with information and allied health services such as dietetics, physio, podiatry, and social work during the process, which also allows RDHS to showcase the exceptional health service and allied health services available in Robinvale.
RDHS have committed to a weekly clinic for anyone to drop in and discuss any mental health issues, or just have a chat with a dedicated Social Worker. One of those days per month would be exclusively for local young people & students, which also means working with and engaging the local schools and wellbeing teams. The dedicated one day per week will ensure sustainability for up to a year!
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