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Kirrily Cunningham

Donate to Kirrily and help create better mental health for all. 

Please help me reach my goal

Raised

$1,690

My Goal

$1,000

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$40
$65
$105
$240
$520
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Total Raised

$1,690

Total Distance

151km

Distance Goal

150km

Support My Walk for Mental Health Research

Did you know that 1 in 5 Australians experience symptoms of mental illness each year?

Mental illness can be debilitating and can have a devastating impact on not only those living with it, but those around them. 

This October, I’m taking part in One Foot Forward to help reduce the impact of mental illness and suicide.

I'm walking to raise funds for Black Dog Institute to put ground-breaking new mental health treatment, education, and digital services into the hands of the people who need them most.

It would mean so much to me if you donated to support my walk.

Together, we can create better mental health for all Australians.

My Updates

Not now

It's hard to finish kilometres when you get sick! I am feeling a bit better today so will walk later with fingers crossed.

Back walking feels good

I had a chance to get up early this morning and do a biggish walk around the neighbourhood. It was one of those mornings after rain overnight where everything felt alive....even the snails!

The good and the bad

I haven't been able to go a proper walk for a couple of days. On Thursday it was a day of celebration for the family with Josh graduating from the AFP. Incredibly proud of his achievements....it's scary and amazing all at the same time to see him grow into a young man. On the same day though I had to head to hospital....not for me but someone I love unconditionally. It is heart breaking to watch someone you love work through their own mental health crisis. I am trying my best to be supportive while caring for myself so I don't fall.

Not a great day....

I have lymphoedema in my left arm as a result of the removal of 16 lymph nodes who joined the breast cancer show. Most days it is manageable with (expensive) compression garments but last night I was bitten by a mosquito on the left hand and arm. I am allergic to mosquitoes and today my arm and hand filled up with lymphatic fluid. Two hours with the compression pump to try and push the fluid out. Sigh.

Last day of floriade

The last day at Floriade is always dog day out and we take our Daisy to smell the flowers (and meet lots of humans!). it was a gorgeous but windy morning with Daisy, Emily, Josh and Kaitlin. Another walk this afternoon around the neighbourhood for my own mental health.

Something new

A walk through Mulligan's Flat with nothing but the sound of the wind and the occasional swooping magpie.

The day after

I am down to 94 kilometres to go. It rained all morning but luckily the sun came out in the afternoon. I walked around the neighbourhood again but a different part this time. I looked at all the homes and wondered about the people living there. I walked past the park that has always been at the top of my street with grandparents watching children on swings and slippery dips during the holidays. Am I so different? I often think like that.....it's part.of how my brain works. I wonder whether my life is happier or sadder, richer or poorer. I wish things in my life could be easier but maybe they are and I just don't know it.

One week down

First week done!! I am more than a third of the way through my goal and I am determined to keep going.

Yesterday

Yesterday was a hard day. Medical appointment day - my annual mammogram and ultrasound which is always creates 'scanxiety'. Results were clear thankfully.

Swinging

Not that kind of swinging....mind out of the gutter. Crossed the swing bridges in Canberra today. I will admit this walk was hard but I did it and am proud of myself for that.

Helping friends

Start of daylight savings....and up early to help my friend Therese. This meant the walk was later in the day and around my neighbourhood but still managed the 5.kms.

Secret walks around canberra

Canberra can be a place of secrets and some of my favourites are the walks. There is a walk near my house around the Percival Hill Nature Reserve which has amazing views to the Brindabellas. I am grateful to the Ngunnawal people for sharing their country with us.

Friends

I met this amazing woman, Megan, at the hardest of times. Megan's sister in law was a work friend of mine, and we met while Megan was caring for Kate who had breast cancer. I found an instant bond with Megan with her incredibly compassionate approach. I admired her seemingly boundless energy and love for her family. I am grateful to Megan for sharing a walk with me.

Why

On my walk this morning I was thinking of why I am doing this. Around 1997 I was working in Sydney when my manager came up to me and said there had been a family incident. She had called a taxi and a colleague would go with me. With no mobiles I raced home to discover that my father had attempted to take his life. His reason - work. He had been a respected aircraft engineer his whole life but had blamed himself for a fatal air crash. He had not been supported by his workplace and his world crumbled. I am grateful every day that the gun misfired and I had more time with my dad. We never spoke of it again though. You didn't talk about mental illness. This morning I stopped at the top of my street and saw my shadow. My dad's shadow had overwhelmed him. I am doing this for him.

First day

7.3 kms with my walking partners Daisy and Coco

My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

$140

Kathryn

$111.90

Tanya Morgan

You're such a strong, resilient woman Kirrily. I know you'll do this. Sending you lots of love & big hugs.

$111.27

Sandi And Muz Clissold

You are a superstar ! So proud of you. So much support needed in the space - thank you for taking on this challenge.

$107.04

Moira & John Rowsell

Such an important cause for us all. It's great what you are doing. Xx

$106.12

Melinda & Justin

Good work Kirrily xx Mental illness affects so many people including those we love but sadly so much more needs to be put into it.

$100

Aza

$100

Louise Cranfield

Happy to help you achieve your goals 🙂

$86.19

Josh Daniel

Love you x

$84.10

Rhyl Maddock

Go Kirrily!

$70.66

Lynne Gillam

Well done Kirrily - such an important cause

$70.66

Miranda Lauman

Amazing effort and such an important message

$69.92

Esther

❤️❤️❤️

$69.92

Sandy & Davo

You are a kind soul my friend. Massive effort xo

$54.95

Tanya Findlay

$54.53

Megan & Jim

I love that you are doing this. 🩷

$54.53

Lauren Cassidy

$50

Jacinta

Noice work KC!

$50

Pip

Awesome Kirrily!!

$44.32

Ange

Such an important cause and message. Good luck and thank you xox

$43.60

Kirstie

$43.60

Tom P

Go KC!

$43.60

Alison

$22.66

Alex And Dave Cheeseman

We r proud to support your walk for mental health - great fundraiser and an area that needs way more $ going to support people.

Thank you to my supporters

$107.04

Moira & John Rowsell

Such an important cause for us all. It's great what you are doing. Xx

$106.12

Melinda & Justin

Good work Kirrily xx Mental illness affects so many people including those we love but sadly so much more needs to be put into it.

$100

Aza

$100

Louise Cranfield

Happy to help you achieve your goals 🙂

$86.19

Josh Daniel

Love you x

$84.10

Rhyl Maddock

Go Kirrily!

$70.66

Lynne Gillam

Well done Kirrily - such an important cause

$70.66

Miranda Lauman

Amazing effort and such an important message

$69.92

Esther

❤️❤️❤️

$69.92

Sandy & Davo

You are a kind soul my friend. Massive effort xo

$54.95

Tanya Findlay

$54.53

Megan & Jim

I love that you are doing this. 🩷

$54.53

Lauren Cassidy

$50

Jacinta

Noice work KC!

$50

Pip

Awesome Kirrily!!

$44.32

Ange

Such an important cause and message. Good luck and thank you xox

$43.60

Kirstie

$43.60

Tom P

Go KC!

$43.60

Alison

$22.66

Alex And Dave Cheeseman

We r proud to support your walk for mental health - great fundraiser and an area that needs way more $ going to support people.