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3249 BLIND

By Ben Pettingill Join Me

I'm fundraising for...

...every life lost to suicide in Australia.

G'day! I'm Ben.

I'm just a blind bloke on a mission to to run 3,249km in 2024 to honour the 3,249 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2022. On average, we lose 9 lives a day to suicide which means I'll be running, on average, 9km a day every day in 2024.

I lost 98% of my eyesight overnight at age 16 to a rare genetic syndrome and know first hand what it is like to battle my mental health. Over a decade on, I still have my ups and downs as I navigate life as a blind father, husband, business owner and mate. It took me a long time to learn that it was okay to speak up about how I was feeling and that speaking up is far better than bottling it up.

This is why I've chosen to support TIACS as I run 1km for every life lost to suicide in Australia. Most of my closest mates are the people who TIACS provide free counselling services for and I want them, and all the tradie, truckie, farmer and blue collar workers out there, to know that they don't have to tough it out alone.

Rain, hail or shine, your mental health is with you all year 'round so that's why I'll be running 3,249kms over the year no matter the weather.

Thanks so much for your support.

Cheers,

Ben

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$14,550

My Goal

$32,490

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Thank you to my Sponsors

$2.5k

Planet Plumbing

Go Ben You’re an inspiration!!!

$2.18k

Planet Plumbing Footscray Hospital Employees

Plumbers supporting Ben on his amazing journey, go Ben!

$2.02k

S Camarri & Co

$1.02k

Robyn, Lilly & The Sussan Group

Thank you for your efforts! We are happy to support you and be part of your impactful work. All the best!

$600

Anonymous

$520

Maher Refrigeration & Electrical

You’re an amazing person doing great things! Well done and keep going

$520

Brendon & Joan Smith

We're with you Ben every step of the way!

$520

Browns Sawdust & Shavings

Ben, I don’t you but what you are doing is a wonderful achievement by you.

$211

Matt Wilmot

Top work Ben, Fantastic to meet you and Mike over in WA this week. All the very best

$211

Legless

Love your dedication and drive brother, it’s unreal! Proud to be your mate 🙏🏻🙏🏻 keep it up!

$201

Erin Horsnell

$200

Tim Pettingill

Keep going mate. So proud of you. You are doing an amazing job.

$150

Joshua Robson (& Ylead)

Donated on behalf of Joshua Robson for speaking at our 2024 Australian Student Leadership Conference

$105.50

Tracey Carrington

You are always an inspiration Ben. Wishing all the best meeting this amazing challenge!!

$105.50

Emma Jaques

Hey Ben, I lost my dad to suicide and nearly lost myself to it too… what you are doing is something I can’t right now but would like to join you in the future in honour of my dad ❤️

$105.50

Dolores Decaria

You’re such an inspiration. Good luck 💙

$105.50

Desma Curtis

Great cause Ben! Well done!

$105.50

Brendon And Joan Smith

Best wishes for a great journey

$105.50

Allison Harrington

You’re an amazing individual Ben. Love your work!! Great cause.

$105.50

Sue Coates

I have always turned to running to help me cope with difficult times in my life. It’s meditation on the move. Good luck.

$105.50

Pettingill 360

Cheers to the teachers and Year 12 students of Northcote High School for having me!

$105.50

Tim And Sue Pettingill

So proud of you mate. It’s an amazing thing you are doing.

$105.50

Debra Fabris

Well done!

$105.50

Pettingill 360

Thanks to the teachers and grade 5 & 6 students from St Pauls The Apostle Primary School for having me

$105.50

Pettingill 360

Cheers to the staff & Year 11 students at St Francis Catholic College for having me present this morning!

$105.50

Pettingill 360

Cheers to the staff & students from Elsternwick Primary School for having me present this morning. Legends!

$105.50

Glenn And Linda Brandt

You never fail to amaze us, fantastic effort.

$105.50

Sally & Steve Looney

$105.50

Angela Foscarini

Great work Ben

$105

Russell Smith

Well done and good luck Ben. Great effort!

$104

Ronald John Tully Iii

Rip in Champion! ♥️

$101

Dina

$100

Julie And Russell Lamb

Inspirational Ben.

$100

Antoinette & Shane Mann

$100

Luke & Paula Ridsdale

Dear Ben, You are simply amazing & such a good human 💪🏻 Good luck with the km’s

$100

Grandma & Grandpa

$100

Michael And Judi Smith

Incredible challenge! May the effort be rewarded with heaps of funds raised to support good mental health

$78

Anonymous

$76

Carolyn S

You’re inspirational Ben. Such a big task you set yourself and it has been tough. Well done. When you finish you will be satisfied and rewarded in ways you can’t imagine. Keep up the good work(er.. running)

$75

John Roccisano

Good on you mate. You are a great example of the strength of humanity. I take my hat off to you.

$75

Jacob Savage

Onya Benny

$67

Hayden Smith

Love your work B!

$60

Youngs Farm Analysis

$52.75

Anonymous

All the best Ben!!! I am in awe of your mission, best of luck with it all and hope you get all the support you need!

$52.75

Anonymous

Well done to you Ben 🩵

$52.75

Asv Earthworks Pty Ltd

Amazing job Ben - very inspirational- You've got this! Adrian & Simone

$52.75

Kris Toomey

Thanks for raising awareness. I lost my son to suicide in 2022. Well done Ben. You are an inspiration ❤️

$52.75

K Woodward

What an inspiration you will be to your daughter as she grows up ❤

$52.75

Anonymous

$52.75

Daniel Leibowitz

Your an inspiration

$52

Nadina Thomas

Love what your doing Ben… AMAZING 💙

$52

Tori Masten

Could not be prouder of everything you do Ben. You are an unstoppable force. 🎉🙏

$52

Cyndi Cullen

Great work Ben…….you are amazing! An inspiration to many.

$51

Katrina Griscti

Great cause

$50

Ethan Savage

Great job Ben, you have inspired me to get back out running again

$26.38

Sam Champion

Great work Ben, you're a legend, keep on running!

$21.10

Anonymous

Thanks for raising awareness, and for raising funds to do something about it. Going slowly is still gaining ground! Keep at it, Ben!

$21.10

Chrissy Chiodo

$20.80

Onenut

Yes BEN! Love your work mate!

$20

Rosie Van Vloten

$11

Anonymous

$10.55

Katie Freak

Great work Ben and for a great cause too!

$10

Sheridan Letchford

Absolutely inspiring what you’re achieving 🙌🏼🙏🏼. All the best in hitting your goal.

$5.28

Anonymous

Thank you for your presentation and time with me during lunch!

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