Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge, has motivated Australians to collectively complete over 312 million push-ups in the month of June and raise over an incredible $12 million for mental health.
The event saw over 218,000 Australians each aim to complete 3,249 push-ups or alternative exercises over 24 days last month, with 3,249 tragically representing the lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2022.
New England locals completed the challenge and have so far raised $525 for headspace Armidale, and $2,398 for headspace Tamworth.
“It was absolutely amazing to have so many Armidale locals sign up for the challenge, raising awareness for mental health, and supporting our local headspace Armidale centre,” said Bronte Hodge, Youth and Community Engagement Officer at headspace Armidale.
“All the funds raised for headspace Armidale will be put to our growing centre, promoting our various groups and programs and assisting the youth of our area with positive mental health,” she said.
“We extend our thanks to all those involved in and who took on The Push Up Challenge.”
The Push-Up Challenge aims to bring people together, learn about mental health, do something good for their physical mental health and help raise critical funds for mental health services and programs in Australia.
Founder of The Push-Up Challenge, Nick Hudson, said the 2024 event had a remarkable impact.
“Watching hundreds of thousands of people around the country take part in The Push-Up Challenge each year never fails to blow us away.”
“From school kids using the Challenge as a vehicle to passionately teach each other about mental health, to 90-something year olds raising funds for mental health and keeping fit through push-ups, The Push-Up Challenge truly brings Australians together.”
“Mental illness is something that everyone is likely to encounter in their lifetime. The more we normalise conversations about mental health, mental fitness, and mental illness through initiatives like The Push-Up Challenge, the more we can break down the stigma and encourage those who need help to seek it early.”
To learn more about The Push-Up Challenge and make a donation for better mental health, visit
www.thepushupchallenge.com.au. Online donations remain open.
Like what you’re reading? Support The New England Times by making a small contribution today and help us keep delivering local news paywall-free. Support now