Peace Lutheran College team among leaders in push up challenge for mental health

A determined Cairns team is among state leaders in The Push Up Challenge with 21,166 push ups completed and more than $5,000 raised so far.

EIGHT Cairns Year 12 students are doing up to 1,640 push ups daily to raise awareness of suicide prevention in the national Push Up Challenge.

The Peace Lutheran College students are in fifth place in Queensland in the education category and 20th place overall, and have smashed their $5,000 fundraising target as they forge ahead.

Peace Lutheran College Year 12 students Eddie Jaclyn, Caleb Simkins, Ben McDonald, Aiden McMullen, Caleb Maas and Joshua-Luca Moore have raised more than $5,000 already for the Movember Men’s Health Challenge. Picture: Emily Barker.

Team captain Caleb Maas said everyone had different reasons for taking up the challenge.

“We wanted to raise awareness of the impact of mental health for high school students like ourselves,” he said.

“Whether it is a moment of anxiety before a test, feelings of inadequacy or everyday mental health struggles, we all know someone who has walked a challenging journey with their mental health.

He said the team hoped to build a sense of community and break the stigma and isolation many people felt dealing with mental illness.

“What we actually need to do is talk to each other,” Caleb said.

The team is urging Cairns residents to get behind them as they push their way through the challenge.

Visit www.thepushupchallenge.com.au and look for the team ‘Just Lads Doing Pushups’.

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Originally published as Peace Lutheran College team among leaders in push up challenge for mental health