Run raises thousands for mental health

This year's Bellarine Sunset Run raised more than $5000 for Bellarine Community Health's mental health services. (supplied)

The return of the 2022 Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run has again shone a spotlight and raised much needed funding for youth mental health services on the Bellarine Peninsula.

This year’s 4km ‘Bully Buster Walk’ raised more than $5000, bringing the total fund-raising efforts to more than $30,000 across the seven years the event has been run.

Event organiser Dion Milne is a passionate supporter of youth mental health and Bellarine Community Health’s (BCH) youth services.

“It’s wonderful to be able to support our youth and we are grateful for the ongoing community support of our event,” he said.

“Some of our participants kindly donate at registration and the Bully Buster walk contributes $20 of the $30 entrance fee to BCH. The event is a great example of how being active can benefit mental health.”

The 4km ‘Bully Buster Walk’ highlights that one in four young Australians between the ages of 12 and 25 lives with a mental health issue, and of those, only one in four will seek help.

“We are extremely thankful for the ongoing support and to be the charity partner for the Sunset Run,” BCH Mental Health and Youth Health & Wellbeing Manager Tanya Fitzpatrick said.

“This event highlights the need for youth mental health services but also the link between keeping active and better mental health.”

The date for next year’s Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run has already been set for February 11, 2023.