Maureen shares healthy message
FAR North woman Maureen Liddy has made the 42km journey from Coen to Archer River at Cape York on foot to share the importance of mental health awareness.
Completed over two days, she took part in the recent 2018 Conquer the Corrugations walk for the third year along with various other walkers and horse riders from across the region.
Ms Liddy, who is Apunipima Cape York Health Council’s social emotional wellbeing team leader, lead a group of her colleagues on their first Conquer the Corrugations walk this year.
“The walk is a good way to demonstrate that with determination we can overcome and achieve anything,” she said.
“It’s important to raise the awareness of mental health in the Cape and this event does a great job getting the message out.”
Ms Liddy said that, even though the event was both a physical and mental challenge, there was support each step of the way from fellow walkers and the organisers.
She won the people’s choice award ‘Spirit of the Walk’ for her determination to walk the entire distance this year.
The final 19kms of the walk she completed in socks and thongs because of the large blisters she developed on day one. That is the spirit of the walk
“I may be a bit stiff and sore, but I’ll be back next year,” she said. “People really come together to cheer each other on, give a hug if it’s needed or simply listen to your story while you walk.
“Often that is all you need to do to help someone whose mental health is suffering.”
Conquer the Corrugations event organiser Emma Jackson said the walk was a way to demonstrate that life was a series of ups and downs, just like the corrugations in a dirt road.
“There may be down times, but there will also be up times and if we save one life, if we help one person get the help they need, the event is a success,” she said.