Members of the police, St John, Fire and Emergency, Civil Defense & NZ Army staff will run for 24 hours at the Selwyn Sports Centre raising money for counselling services.

From 12pm Saturday 5 Nov – to 12pm Sunday 6 Nov, staff will run for four hours each.

Senior Constable Glenn Dawson said their goal is to raise $20,000 for I AM HOPE and Gumboot Friday. 

“Some are running in uniform, vests, breathing apparatus or gumboots. Others will just be stoked to get through the 4 hours!”

Senior Constable Dawson said “Our aim is to run each hour without stopping and push ourselves out of our comfort zone. 

For us, it’s just one foot in front of the other and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, whereas for some of the people who we are running for, they can not see a way out all.

We will also have activities and displays on the basketball courts below the track.”

100% of what is raised will stay in the Canterbury district. 

“We never know when we, one of our family or our colleagues will need the services that these organisations can provide.” 

Currently, there is an approx. 6-8 month waiting list for specialist mental health referrals. 

“Gumboot Friday can have you in front of a counsellor within 48 hours.

They are not government funded and rely on donations from the public.”