Veteran walks 1,005km for Soldier On suicide prevention program

Joint-capabilities

20 April 2021

By: Liam Garman

Veteran Graham Backhouse embarked on a 1,005-kilometre walk to help raise funds for Soldier On veteran suicide prevention programs.

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Veteran Graham Backhouse is in the midst of a 1,005-kilometre walk to raise money for Soldier On’s veteran programs, inspired by his time of service in the Australian Defence Force and Border Force.

Backhouse’s 1,005-kilometre challenge began in March and is expected to last for 49 days, culminating on Wednesday, 21 May in Kalamunda.

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“I've been fortunate to work with and support numerous defence forces. Defenders of nations that sacrifice much to protect its peoples and values. This sacrifice at times has unintended consequences, such as difficulties with adjusting to civilian life, mental health and wellbeing," Backhouse said. "If I can make a small difference for those women and men of our ADF, it will all be worth it.”

Backhouse’s quest follows Soldier On’s March On program, which aims to raise money for veteran suicide prevention programs by challenging Australians to walk the length of the Kokoda Track – 96 kilometres.

Ivan Slavich, chief executive of Soldier On, outlined that Australians have rallied around this cause.

“It has been fantastic to see people all over Australia getting out there and marching on in creative and inspiring ways. We have seen our participants marching across Australia, from the ocean floor to the mountain peaks,” Slavich said.

“These acts not only show our veteran community that we stand with them, but also raises much needed funds which allows Soldier On to provide serving and ex-serving veterans and their families with the assistance they need to build better futures following their service.”

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The Soldier On March On effort has raised over $1,841,000 to date to support the organisation’s veteran support services to prevent suicide.

Liam Garman

Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Liam began his career as a speech writer at New South Wales Parliament before working for world leading campaigns and research agencies in Sydney and Auckland. Throughout his career, Liam has managed and executed international media and communications campaigns spanning politics, business, industrial relations and infrastructure. He’s since shifted his attention to researching and writing extensively on geopolitics and defence. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and a Masters in Strategy and Security with Excellence from UNSW Canberra, with a thesis on post-truth, postmodernism and disinformation operations.

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