GAWLER Central footballer Matthew Pike will walk the 450km trek from Mount Gambier to Gawler in November to raise funds for mental health charity Beyond Blue.
The 25-year-old had suffered through his own battle after living overseas for some time and returning home.
“I was overseas for two years, and I think having that lifestyle and coming back, the change, it took me a while to wrap my head around things,” he said.
“A few deaths in the family, and one of my good mates passed away – a few things built up.
“It seems to be a talking point now.
“I always wanted to do something to raise money for mental health, I just couldn’t think of what.
“I wanted to come up with something a bit extreme, and I came up with this.
“I’d seen professionals in my own time, but I just wanted to do it for a mental health charity.
“If this can go towards helping people, then so be it.”
The gruelling journey will take Mr Pike nine days, averaging at 50km per day.
He said the idea of walking from Mount Gambier to Gawler started after a mate joked about it.
“I’ve got a few mates from Mount Gambier, so it was a passing comment as a joke, and then I looked into it and how I’d get there,” he said.
“Some of the days it’s longer, I’ve got to get to a caravan park and have somewhere I can stay legally.
“I mapped that out, got in touch with Beyond Blue, they set up the fundraising page, so anything people donate goes straight to them.
“I put it on Facebook a week ago, and I’ve raised just under $2000.
“The aim is $5000, and I’m leaving in November.”
Mr Pike said he settled on $5000 after consulting his parents.
“I asked mum and dad, we thought $5000 might be the way to go, obviously the sky is the limit,” he said.
“If we can get some stuff donated and auctioned off that’d be great.”
Despite suffering a shoulder injury playing footy, Mr Pike is still training for the event by walking significant distances each day.
“I’ve been doing 10km a day, and I’m just building up,” he said.
“There’ll be a few long days in there, but it’s about looking after the body and staying healthy.”
You can donate to Mr Pike’s campaign by visiting www.beyondblue-individual.everydayhero.com/au/450km-9-days-2-feet.