Published: 23 Jun 2014
Clean-up was still underway at the Maroubra Sports Club today, two days after a 24-hour marathon fundraising Plebs, Pros and Personalities 4 Suicide Prevention Australia took place.
In its second year, the rank-and-file wharfie event, managed to double last year’s efforts, with more than 2500 people joining the runners on the seven treadmills throughout the 24 hours.
In its second year, the rank-and-file wharfie event, managed to double last year’s efforts, with more than 2500 people joining the runners on the seven treadmills throughout the 24 hours.
Patrick wharfie, Aaron More, along with his mate Ben Higgs were the main organisers of the hugely successful event that attracted well-known celebrities, including television stars and football heroes. Some MUA celebrities made an effort too with well-known plebs such as Sydney Branch Secretaries – the three Pauls – hitting the rubber.
Paul McAleer was first up on the MUA treadmill in the opening run, managing to make the distance and not embarrassing himself, despite running at the same time as some of the fittest people in Australia.
Before undertaking the run McAleer talked about Hunterlink Recovery Services and its availability to all MUA members who find themselves in strife. For more information on Hunterlink, click here.
Assistant Branch Secretary Paul Garrett had a bit of a false start requiring some tips from rugby superstar Sonny Bill Williams but made it to the end without major injury.
Both McAleer and Garrett took part again the next day, joined by Paul Keating, and National Office’s Mich-Elle Myers, Alex Madden and Bernie Farrelly. Members from both terminals and a special group from Harbour City Ferries made it for a run.
But it was the effort of the rank-and-file that should be truly commended. Aaron More pointed out that the event would not have gone ahead if it was not for the work of Adam Lee, Andrew Maguire and Steve Hays.
“They went above and beyond,” More said.
Adam Lee managed to stay and work for the full 24 hours.
While Andrew Maguire, with the aid of his wife Kristy, managed to put in a 100 per cent effort, including five fifteen minute stints on the treadmill for no-shows.
“I am a little bit sore,” Maguire said, “But it was well worth it, to see it all come together.”
He put in a special word for his wife, saying she put in more kilometres than the runners in organising prizes and sponsors.
Although the main aim of the occasion was to raise money for the charity Suicide Prevention Australia, another intention was to simply create awareness.
No stranger to suicide, having lost mates and colleagues to it, More said he wanted to encourage people to open up to each other about what was going on their heads.
“You can get over most things with the help of family and friends,” he said.
“You’re not any less of a man if you open up about your problems.”
Donations can still be made here.
More pictures can be seen here.
