Tony Shuker will ride from Darwin to the Gold Coast to raise $2m for mental health charities

‘It’s okay to speak up’: A survivor’s mission to encourage others suffering with mental health to share their story will see him cycle from Darwin to the Gold Coast.

Tony Shuker will ride from Darwin to Gold Coast to raise money for mental health charities. Picture: Supplied

Tony Shuker, 65, will cycle from Darwin to the Gold Coast in an effort to raise $2m for mental health charities.

The V8 lover started his 4500km journey from the Supercars on Sunday and expects to arrive in the Gold Coast on July 26.

Mr Shuker said he has had a decades long battle with mental health.

He hopes his epic mission will remind others “it’s okay to speak up”.

Mr Shuker began his journey from the V8s at Hidden Valley on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

“Too many people suffer from mental health and a lot of them are in the same headspace I was” he said.

“They internalise it and think they’re the only ones that suffer, the only ones who go through pain.”

“I’ve decided to stand up and say it’s okay to speak up and it’s okay to share your story.”

Mr Shuker believes sharing your story, no matter how personal, will lead to healing.

He said his struggles with mental health started in 2005 after a sexual assault, after which he later discovered he was living with HIV from the experience.

His mantra is ‘it’s okay to speak up’. Picture: Supplied

“It turned my life upside down and I never thought I’d get over it,” he said.

Mr Shuker said he lived with the shame of his mental and physical illnesses for a long time until he decided to open up and share.

“I had a close old friend from New Zealand,” the Kiwi said.

“He said to my wife, ‘what’s up with Tony?’, because he’s not the same fun guy we used to know.

“We went round and told him my story, and he showed me and my story so much warmth and compassion.

“I realised it’s okay to let it out.

“Don’t hold it inside anymore — let it out, and once I did, I felt so much relief.”

Mr Shuker’s wife and brother-in-law will follow and support him on his journey. Picture: Supplied

As Mr Shuker cycles from Darwin to the Gold Coast, he will spread this message of ‘it’s okay to speak up’ through his social media page Empowering Courage. 

“It’s okay to speak up, it’s okay to tell your story,” Mr Shuker said.

“You’re not on this journey alone; you don’t have to travel us alone.”

More information about Mr Shuker’s ride and how to donate can be found on his Facebook and Instagram page ‘Empowering Courage’. 

Originally published as Tony Shuker will ride from Darwin to the Gold Coast to raise $2m for mental health charities