Mental health tour making Tauranga stop

Mike King. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Mike King, Tai Tupou and Richie Barnett are gearing up to embark on a nationwide tour to inspire youth, and will be in Tauranga on Thursday.

The Gumboot Army Activation Tour will see mental health advocate and I Am Hope founder Mike King, lead I Am Hope ambassador Tai Tupou and I Am Hope's recently appointed kaiārahi, former league star and mentor Richie Barnett, travel the length of the country from Dunedin through to Waitakere, meeting with sponsors, volunteers and most importantly, members of the community from all walks of life.

'We're meeting with the people who make up the backbone of who we are as a charity and what we do. The real heroes of our story,” says Mike.

'Since 2021, New Zealand has donated $3.3 million for free kids counselling sessions. The money comes from people in the community who've been touched first hand by mental health and suicide. It also comes from businesses who can no longer sit by and watch our rangatahi suffer.

'So, we're going back to our communities and saying you did an incredible job last year and we will never be able to thank you enough. We need you do it again this year, because our kids are still dying.

'While the bureaucrats are busy arguing amongst themselves and mudslinging for political point scoring, we need to get up and do something about it because if nothing changes, then nothing changes.

'Thank you New Zealand, for having our kids' backs.”

Since its launch three years ago, Gumboot Friday has spent more than $2.8 million on 20,481 free counselling sessions for 9376 kiwi kids.

This year, the aim is to provide more than 30,000 free counselling sessions by achieving the $5 million goal.

Gumboot Friday: November 4, 2022

Website: www.gumbootfriday.org.nz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gumbootupNZ

Instagram: @gumbootfriday

Tour public appearance times and venues:

1 August 2022

10AM Starbucks Dunedin, George Street, Central Dunedin

11.30AM Farmlands Dunedin, Cumberland Street, Central Dunedin

3.30PM No 1 Shoe Superstore, Stratford Street, Timaru

5PM The Shearers Quarters, Seadown Road, Temuka 

2 August 2022

1PM Farmlands Christchurch, Waterloo Road, Hornby, Christchurch

6PM Starbucks Northlands Shopping Centre, 55 Main North Road,Christchurch

3 August 2022

10.30AM Starbucks, Lambton Quay, Wellington

12.30PM Health2000, Willis Street, Wellington

2PM Fork & Brewer, Bond Street, Wellington

4 August 2022

11.30AM No 1 Shoe Warehouse, Rotorua Central Mall

3PM Farmlands Tauranga, Taurikura drive, Tauranga

4.30pm Hannahs, Bayfair, Tauranga

6.00PM Starbucks, The Strand, Tauranga

5 August 2022

8.30AM BBQ breakfast! Fresh Choice, Rewi Street, Te Awamutu

6 August 2022

8AM – 8PM Waitakere Fire Service 12 hour relay! Mike's appearance @ 12PM, Township Road, Waitakere

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