TRIPPING THE MILL FOR LIFE
TOWNSVILLE veteran Michael Lyddiard lost his right eye, his lower right arm and two fingers in Afghanistan but he is calling for people to help him fight the black dog.
The former bomb disposal expert, 40, has post- traumatic stress disorder and has himself faced dark days.
But he said he would not let that prevent him living a full life with his wife and children.
Mr Lyddiard is doing the 24- hour Challenge for Suicide Prevention and he is calling on others to join him.
He said suicide was the leading cause of death for Australians aged 18- 44 and took more lives than road accidents or skin cancer.
“The biggest reason I am doing it is to build awareness and education around suicide prevention and being able to do something like this myself, I hope it will help people feel empowered,” Mr Lyddiard said.
“I think everyone has been in a dark place at some time – it can affect anyone at any time.”
Mr Lyddiard said the Anytime Fitness gym at Domain would join more than 200 gyms across Australia to raise $ 500,000 for Suicide Prevention Australia and to create a community that knew how to ask for and give help.
“My goal is to ensure the challenge is complete and we hope there will be a number of teams who come down during the 24 hours but the treadmill has to be going constantly,” he said.
“If I have to be on the treadmill for two hours to keep it going, I will be on it for two hours.
“People can sign up for 15 minutes or an hour.”
To get involved, you can sponsor someone or register yourself for the 24- Hour Treadmill Challenge by visiting http://www.anytimefitness.com.au/treadmillrun/