Bellingen High school mates Jack Mitchell, Max Sandstrom plan tribute run for Eden Buckingham

Grief rippled through the Coffs Coast when Eden, the son of NSW politician Jeremy Buckingham, took his own life. Now, two of his best mates are taking on a massive feat in his memory.

Max Sandstrom (centre) and Jack Mitchell (right) plan to run from Newcastle to the Gold Coast to fundraise and shine a spotlight on mental health. They are pictured here with their good mate Eden Buckingham, who took his own life in 2022.

Gone too young, but never forgotten – two young Coffs Coast men are planning a special statewide tribute to Eden Buckingham.

Tragically, Eden took his own life late last year at age 23.

Eden is the son of Bellingen-based NSW politician and one-time Greens representative Jeremy Buckingham, who now sits in the legislative council for the Legalise Cannabis Party.

Mr Buckingham previously said he wanted to legalise cannabis as an alternative treatment to opiates after his son struggled with depression and drug addiction

He also revealed Eden - his “beautiful golden boy” - allegedly “suffered the most evil abuse” from a family member.

“I love him so much and can’t believe I have to go on without him,” Mr Buckingham said after his son’s body was discovered.

Bellingen’s Eden Buckingham before his tragic death at age 23.

Eden’s death also broke the hearts, but not the spirit of close mates Jack Mitchell and Max Sandstrom.

Jack, Max and Eden enjoyed their senior years together at Bellingen High School.

“He (Eden) moved here in Year 10, he was from Orange,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Us three were always mucking up in class.

Eden Buckingham loved the great outdoors and spending time with his mates.

“Outside of school we’d either be fishing, hiking, having a spar in the park or shooting hoops.”

The tight-knit young mates were rocked when Eden suddenly took his own life.

“I spoke with him (Eden) a fortnight before and he was as happy as could be,” Mr Mitchell said.

Eden Buckingham’s tragic death was felt throughout the Coffs Coast community.

“But sometimes you don’t get any reading that they are in that mindset (of depression).

“It’s hard to understand how difficult it (suicide) is until it slaps you in the face.”

Jack Mitchell and Max Sandstrom are in training for the gruelling fundraising run from Newcastle to the Gold Coast.

With the passage of time, Mr Mitchell, now a casual schoolteacher at Newcastle, had an idea to create a legacy for Eden.

“At first I thought we could do a big run, taking our fishing rods and backpacks and fish every bridge along the way,” he said.

The impracticalities of such a venture quickly became self-evident, but another plan was soon hatched – a road run from Newcastle to the Gold Coast.

Young Eden Buckingham.

“I thought I could do that and called Max and knew he’d say yes,” Mr Mitchell said.

Mr Sandstrom was indeed on-board for the journey and the choice of starting at Newcastle worked well given he is also based there now.

So the Run4Eden initiative was born – a slog which will fundraise for Beyond Blue and raise awareness around mental health.

The details are yet to be finalised, but the event will start September 25 and finish 14 days later.

Father and MP Jeremy Buckingham is supporting the tribute run for his son Eden. Picture: John Feder

Mr Mitchell said they were planning a series of special events when they reach Nambucca, Urunga and Coffs Harbour, while Mr Buckingham will pull activities together in Bellingen.

“The impact of Eden’s passing has inspired them to channel their grief into a force for good, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health struggles and fostering a sense of community,” said Jackson Adams, who is helping to organise the event.

“Jack and Max want the world to know that while they are the faces of this run, there is an entire network of like-minded individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure its success.

“The outpouring of support they have received is a testament to the impact Eden had on those around him and the urgent need for increased mental health awareness and support.”

Follow updates of the journey on Instagram @run4eden2023.

The fundraiser is also on the Beyond Blue website.