The Tulloch family team called the Cackling Kookas will be out walking every day of October in the OneFootForward# challenge in memory of their son and brother Isaac Tulloch (right) and to raise funds and awareness of mental health. They are (L-R) Matt Ward with Oscar, Kayla Ward with Huxley, Mandy Tulloch, Laura Tulloch with Finley Ward and Simon Tulloch.
The Tulloch family from Parkes have formed the Cackling Kookas team to take on the Black Dog Institute’s OneFootForward# challenge in October.
“We have each pledged to walk a distance in memory of our son and brother,” said Mandy Tulloch. “We lost Isaac to mental health in September 2019 when he was 18 years old.”
Mandy and her two daughters, Kayla and Laura, have each set a target of 100km, and her husband Simon will be doing 50km.
October is mental health month and the OneFootForward# challenge encourages people to walk, run or roll in solidarity with the one in five Australians experiencing symptoms of mental illness every year to show them they are not alone.
Mandy said her family would attempt to do some of their daily walks together in Parkes. “We will start the challenge in Mudgee where we will be spending the long weekend.”
Mandy, Kayla and Laura did the challenge for the first time last year and managed to raise $4,000. “We hope to do better this year,” said Mandy.
Their aim is not only to raise much needed funds for the Black Dog Institute, but to also raise awareness. “It is so important that people will feel comfortable to ask for help. If we can save one family from the devastation of losing their loved one that we endure every day, we would have achieved a great deal,” said Mandy.
The Black Dog Institute is the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan. The institute also work on addressing new challenges and opportunities in mental health – suicide prevention, digital innovation, lived experience, youth and workplace mental health.
If you would like to support the family with a donation you can follow any of the links below:
• www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/SimonTulloch115483
• www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/LauraTulloch50732
• www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/KaylaWard50731
• www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/MandyTulloch