Tamara Collins and her pet bulldog, Barry, are on a mission to help young people.
As part of her campaign, the Macedon resident wants to raise $15,000 to send a young person struggling with mental health issues to a health retreat on the Sunshine Coast.
Ms Collins’s quest is in honour of her little brother Dane, 28, who died last year after battling anxiety and depression.
Barry, who was Dane’s pooch, is the face of Ms Collins’ online GoFundme crowdfunding campaign, which has raised more than $6000 for the cause.
“Dane suffered terrible anxiety and depression and turned to drugs and alcohol in an attempt to get control of his life,” Ms Collins said.
“When he realised this lifestyle was not helping him, he booked into the Health Retreat, a recovery center on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.”
Her next fundraising event is a world record attempt for the most people participating in a 45-minute Metafit session. It will be held on Sunday, October 9, at the Stadium in Gisborne and will be followed by a gold-coin donation breakfast.
“I want to raise awareness of not only mental health but addiction and other manipulating factors that young people often face but have no strategies to overcome,” Ms Collins said.
“Money can’t buy you happiness but it sure can buy you the key to the door … once the door is open, anything is possible.
“To give someone opportunity and hope – that’s what this is all about.”
Donate here or book for the Metafit session here.
