16 February, 2011

This weekend over 345 teams, consisting of over 4400 people, will be putting on their running shoes and taking part in the 16th annual Great Lake Relay around Lake Taupo, and as the official charity recipient of the event the Mental Health Foundation is proud to announce the inclusion of Steve Gurney in their team of Celebrity Ambassadors.

As New Zealand’s most prolific multi-sport athlete, Steve is known for not only winning the Coast-to-Coast race an astounding nine times, competing in the Southern Traverse, Eco-Challenge and Extreme Games but also for his more unusual ventures including riding his aerodynamic bike pod across the Canterbury plains.

Steve’s interest in supporting the Mental Health Foundation in the Great Lake Relay is due to his dedication to helping others achieve their goals and to his own personal experience of depression.

“I had a couple of bouts of depression during my sporting career. The first time was after I had been very sick in a race and nearly died. During my physical recovery I experienced about six months of depression, in part because of the severity of the illness and in part because I might not have been able to race again. The second experience came when I had to retire.”

Steve sought professional help and focused on the long-term answers to his depression rather than looking for a short-term fix.

“I was interested in the holistic, ‘what-is-the-meaning-of-life’ big picture and in asking the big questions - tackling the big tigers. I carefully chose who I asked for help from and went to people who would lead me out of it – people who were focused on positive solutions.”

Steve continues to undertake unique challenges around the world. In December 2010, he and mate Steve Moffat re-enacted Marmaduke Dixon and George Mannering expeditions by climbing Mt Cook Aoraki using only the hobnail boots, hemp rope and oilskins of the 1890s!

Joining Steve in the role of Celebrity Ambassador are former world champion squash player Dame Susan Devoy, celebrity dance instructor and 2006 Dancing with the Stars winner Aaron Gilmore, ten-time National Wakeboarding Champion and 2005 World Champion Andrea Fountain, actress and former Shortland Street star Nicola Kawana, former Bleeders front man and now singer of Auckland hardcore band Leeches, Angelo Munro and Outrageous Fortune’s Aidee Walker.

Each of the ambassadors has chosen to support the Foundation by either running a leg of the relay and/or by promoting a lifestyle that encourages activities that support your mental health and wellbeing.

Additional information
Ambassador bios
The Mental Health Foundation’s Fundraising webpage

ENDS

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