In March, 26 trekkers headed high up into the Himalayas: a group of police, fire, ambulance, EMV, SES and DEECA members and family walking side by side to Everest Base Camp. It was a very demanding trek, with frigid conditions, long days and many illnesses to battle. Not to mention our fair share of rogue yaks, jhopkes and mules to contend with! But we all made it to the bottom of the top of the world!

Like our first side by side trek to Kokoda, we are raising awareness and funds to improve mental health services for emergency service workers and volunteers. With relentless natural disasters, a challenging criminal environment and the ongoing effects of the pandemic, the stress and trauma our emergency personnel experience on a daily basis can take a heavy toll.

Our first responders need all the support they can get, so please throw some support behind our fundraising for the Emergency Services Foundation. Can you donate $1 for every 100m in altitude we climbed? A week of strong lattes? Whatever you can spare is greatly appreciated and together we thank you for your contribution. We are aiming for raise $100,000 for a pilot residential wellbeing program on the Mornington Peninsula: the inaugural program commenced mid-April! Please feel free to share the page link with your friends, colleagues and family. The more people who can help the better. Side by side we can climb mountains!

Thank you