By Lorna Gordon
For Chris Barton, walking has become much more than a way to stay fit. It has become a way to bring people together, start conversations about mental health and raise money to support young people who need it most.
This September, Chris will take on one of his biggest challenges yet for his not for profit, Step into Action. He will walk from Newcastle to Penrith over four days to raise funds for youth mental health and suicide prevention programs.
The challenge will see Chris cover around 60 kilometres each day, the equivalent of roughly a marathon and a half, and while he is confident he is physically prepared, he knows the mental battle will be just as demanding.
“After 40 kilometres everything hurts a lot and it becomes very painful,” Chris said. “It’s a big challenge, but I wanted to personally challenge myself.”
Chris is certainly no stranger to putting one foot in front of the other. Now 51, he has been completing at least 20 kilometres a day for more than 800 consecutive days. Over the past year, Chris has been working hard to build support for youth mental health initiatives, including launching youth mental health scholarships for Charlotte’s Wish. His September walk is aiming even higher, with an ambitious fundraising target of $200,000.
More than $11,000 has already been raised, with funds from the challenge to be shared between Charlotte’s Wish and The Man Cave, which is co-organising the event. The money will support programs focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention.
For much of the four day journey, Chris will walk alone, but he will have company along the way. Some famous faces will be joining him, Olympian Melissa Wu, Dr Charlie Teo and MMA athletes Tyson Pedro and Arlene ‘Angerfist” will be there, as will Mat and Kelly from Charlotte’s Wish. A limited number of people will be able to register to join Chris on the final leg from Parramatta to Penrith will see a group of supporters walking together.
The challenge will finish on a high with a free community concert in Penrith featuring The Finlays, creating an opportunity for people to celebrate the walkers’ achievement and show their support for youth mental health.
Those unable to join Chris in person can still take part by signing up to walk virtually or donating through Step Into Action.
Chris is also planning another community challenge for October 17 at Blacktown Showground for Blacktown’s Big Stretch. The free event will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people performing an upper body stretch simultaneously. With the current record sitting at around 647 people, Chris hopes to attract 1,000 participants, alongside entertainment from local taekwondo and dance groups.
Whether walking hundreds of kilometres or bringing a thousand people together for a stretch, Chris has one goal, using simple physical activity to bring communities together and help save young lives.