Toowoomba steps up to challenge, pushes limits for worthy cause

You might see people doing push-ups, sit-ups and squats in and around the Toowoomba region for the next month and here’s why.

PUSHING LIMITS: Taking part in the push-up challenge at Toowoomba’s Flexi School are teacher Renee O'Sullivan, I.T worker Alex Thompson-Welch (centre) and year 11 student Zane Clohesy. Picture: Nev Madsen.

You might see people doing push-ups, sit-ups and squats in and around the Toowoomba region for the next month and here’s why.

The first day of the push-up challenge kicked off on Tuesday with students and staff from the Centenary Heights State High School Toowoomba’s Flexi School committing to the worthy cause.

Representing the number of lives lost to a mental health illness in Australia over the last 12 months, participants will each complete 3318 push-ups over 25 days.

Flexi Schoolteacher Julian Booth said he personally has participated in the push-up challenge for the last four years.

“We’re taking part in the push-up challenge and will perform 3318 push-ups to raise awareness for mental health and funds which will be donated to Lifeline,” Mr Booth said.

“This year we created team Flexi which consists of about 40 people and is a mix students and staff members.”

(From left) Renee O'Sullivan (teacher), Alex Thompson-Welch (IT) and Zane Clohesy (year 11) take part in the Push-Up Challenge at Toowoomba Flexi School. Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

While Mr Booth has been passionate about the cause for some time, the local teacher said he understands the pressures some teenagers experience and has witnessed mental health struggles first-hand.

“Some of the young people here at Flexi have mental health issues so for me it’s about raising awareness, creating knowledge and helping them to realise it’s OK to talk about how they’re feeling … it’s not weak to speak,” he said.

“The number of push-ups we do each day varies and is related to a statistic – for example 130 was for 13% of Australians who have thought about suicide over the last 12 months.”

Lifeline Darling Downs chief executive officer Derek Tuffield OAM thanked students and staff from Flexi School and Centenary Heights State High School for their efforts.

“Mental health for our students and young people is a big issue and the (Lifeline) number does over 100 suicidality safety plan per day nationally,” Mr Tuffield said.

“This is really front and centre to try and make sure people reach out, get help and not be afraid to say ‘I’m not travelling OK’ – and Lifeline is available 24/7.

“Funds raised is just a bonus for us to make sure that we can help people in their time of need.”

The Centenary Heights State High School Toowoomba’s Flexi School has already raised $349 and are aiming to reach the goal of $500.

All funds will be donated to Lifeline Toowoomba and will assist locals.

If you or someone you know is struggling please phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.