Anytime Fitness Albany Creek will keep the treadmills spinning for 24 hours on Friday, 28th of July. Step Up and Run: Anytime Fitness PPP4SPA is an initiative to raise awareness and donations to the Suicide Prevention Australia.
Step Up & Run
Anytime Fitness has a goal to raise $500,000 for suicide prevention. To make this happen, everyone is invited to walk, jog, and run to keep the treadmills moving, starting at 6:00 p.m. on Friday until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.
This is also a family-friendly event with activities that will keep the kids busy and entertained. There will be face painting and jumping castle for kids and free BBQs for everyone.
To participate, you can book your 15-minute treadmill slot for $15 here. Other Anytime Fitness clubs and members across Australia will also be participating in this treadmill challenge.
Suicide in Australia
According to the latest numbers released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), there were 3,027 people, mostly males, that lost their lives from intentional harm. It may be the 13th leading cause of death in Australia, but it is the leading cause of death among people at 15 – 44 years of age.
Queensland has the third highest suicide rate accounting to 15.7% of the total suicide rate in Australia. Just late last year, an Albany Creek teenager took his own life because of the constant bullying he received about his sexuality.
“I feel like these people who were bullying … are the cause of why he is not here any more. They pushed him to the edge,” the mother said.
Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA)
SPA is the lead agency of the National Coalition for Suicide Prevention that is working collaboratively to develop a helping community. SPA has a goal of halving the suicide rate in Australia in 10 years. Apart from the research they are conducting, they are running different projects.
The “Lived Experience Network (LEN)” is a program that aims to amplify the voices of people with lived experiences of suicide. SPA believes that the wisdom gained by these people should be used to inform suicide prevention.
Visit the SPA website on how to get involved.
“Are you ok?” — These are the three important words that could change a person’s perspective in committing suicide. They just need a friend.