STATE charity Life Ed Queensland has invited Scenic Rim, Redlands and Logan residents to take part in a fitness and fundraising challenge next month.
The Healthy Harold 100 aims to tackle the important issue of schoolyard bullying and violence.
The challenge involves running, walking or riding a total of 100 kilometres throughout the month of June.
Life Ed Queensland chief executive Michael Fawsitt said bullying in schools had skyrocketed since the COVID pandemic.
He said people of all ages could take part in the challenge to help shine a light on the issue.
“Bullying affects one in four school children between Years four and nine,” he said.
“One in five school children is cyberbullied.
“Sadly, victims of bullying, violence and abuse are impacted physically, socially and emotionally.
“It can destroy a young person’s confidence and self-esteem and their desire to learn and go to school.
Mr Fawsitt said bullying was not something that should be dismissed as a “rite of passage”.
“Children who are bullied are three times more likely to experience depression and there’s link between bullying others at school and aggressive behaviour as adults.
Mr Fawsitt said Life Ed’s respectful relationships education was also vital in addressing future domestic and family violence.
“One in three women has experienced physical violence and one in five has experienced sexual violence.,” he said.
“As adults, we have a responsibility to our next generation to help break that cycle by teaching respect and empathy,” he said.
“It’s absolutely crucial that we continue to work with schools to educate children in an age-appropriate way about the various forms of bullying, cybersafety and strategies to build positive relationships with their peers, family and friends.”
Life Ed Queensland said more than 400 Queenslanders had already registered for the Healthy Harold Hundred including fitness mentors, parents, teachers and students.
Olympic gold medallist Brooke Hanson is one of the key ambassadors.
The fundraising target is $150,000 so Life Ed Queensland said it hoped 2000 people would register for the event to help make this happen.
The 100-kilometre challenge works out to about 3.3Ks a day, but participants can nominate any distance whilst raising funds from their donor community, tracking their progress on an interactive personal dashboard.
The event starts on Wednesday June 1 and can be completed anywhere by individuals or teams. Registration is free and there are prizes for entrants who meet fundraising targets.
To learn more visit healthyharoldhundred.org.au
*As published in the Beaudesert Times on 29 May 2022.
