In October of 2018, Tori Wheelans had the toughest experience of her life, losing her father.
In support, throughout the 2018 Movember campaign close friends of Tori and her family put together a Movember team named 'Postachio Nuts', a collection of young men coming together and challenging themselves, in support of their friend facing a life changing challenge of her own. While raising significant funds and awareness for men's health.
Inspired by what these young men had acheived and the support they had throughout the month, what happened next is one of the most poweful displays of what the Movember community is capable of.
Tori set herself a challenge, to run a full marathon, but, with so much more to it. On board jumped 3 of her closest friends, forming the 'Jugs R Joggin'.
In their own words:
"In October last year, after suffering years of mental health issues, Tori sadly lost her dad to suicide. As many of you are aware, suicide and mental health problems are an ongoing crisis within New Zealand and all around the world.
As old and close friends we, (Abby, Bella, Lauren and Tori) have banded together to run The Mt Cook Marathon in the hope of raising awareness and money for mental health and suicide prevention.
We will be taking on the hefty 42.2km on October 5th, the year anniversary of Tori’s dad’s passing.
We have teamed up with the Movember Foundation, the leading charity changing the face of men's health, and this October we are joining them to raise awareness of this epidemic.
Together we can make a difference for men's health – in mental health and suicide prevention.
Globally, the rate of suicide is alarmingly high, particularly in men. Too many men are ‘toughing it out’, keeping their feelings to themselves and struggling in silence. The Movember Foundation is aiming to reduce the rate of male suicide by 25% by 2030, and WE want to help them get there.
Please, help us stop men dying too young by donating even just a few dollars to this cause."
'The Jugs', as they became known, through support from Movember partners, such as Ambassador Lydia O'Donnell providing running programs and Under Armour supplying running gear, significant support of family and friends from donations, messages of support and attending the marathon on the day, put in months of training to cross the finish line in hail and snow.
The challenge was immense, but the end result was beyond what they ever could have imagined.
An orginal goal to raise $2000 was passed almost instantly, 'The Jugs R Joggin' at this point raising close to $14'000 for the Movember Foundation.
Along with immeasureable awareness of men's health, Movember and the fight to stop men dying too young.
Move For Movember- Stop Men Dying Too Young
