19 June 2020

Trekking Kokoda: 96km in 9 days for Eating Disorders

| My Gungahlin
Start the conversation

Jacqui Brooker is taking on the challenge of Kokoda Trail by trekking this demanding 96km track in 9 days.

Having overcome her own experience with anorexia nervosa, Jacqui is determined to make a difference for everyone battling with eating disorders. Consumers, carers, their families and friends. Jacqui said “I refuse to keep watching silently from the sidelines.”

How big is the issue in Australia?

The stats are pretty grim:

  • The prevalence of eating disorders is increasing amongst boys and men. – Approx. 20% of women have an existing undiagnosed disorder.
  • 97% have a comorbid mental health condition.
  • Anorexia has a standardised mortality rate that is 12 times higher than the annual death rate from all causes in females aged 15 to 24. It is the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.

What is Jacqui doing?

“I am trekking Kokoda Trail in April 2018 to raise awareness and understanding of eating disorders, and to raise money for enhanced support services in the ACT.

All money raised will be going to the Canberra Hospital Foundation to tackle this specific issue on behalf of the community.”

How you can help?

You can show your support for this cause in many ways:

  • donating;
  • raising awareness of my pledge to trek Kokoda to others who might be interested in sponsoring my journey; and
  • sharing in the conversation to end the silence and taboo.

DONATE DIRECTLY THROUGH CANBERRA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION WEBSITE TO GENERATE AUTOMATIC TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT

If donating online via chuffed, see link at the bottom of this page, you can certainly still obtain a tax deductible receipt, it will just take a little longer and Jacqui will need to contact you to ask for your address.

Alternatively, you can donate directly to the Canbera Hospital Foundation’s website, but please make a note in Comments that it is specfically for Jacqui’s Kokoda Trek for eating disorders. Otherwise it will not go towards her campaign.

If you choose this option, please tell Jacqui as she would love to personally thank you and also keep tabs on how much is raised specifically for eating disorders.

Canberra Fitness Centre located in Mitchell is holding 2 charity boot camps where money raised from these boot camps to Jacqui’s fundraising. This is a great way to check out Canberra Fitness Centre and if you sign up on the day as a new member they will donate 25% of your first month membership fees to this cause. Check out the event here for details: Trekking Kokoda 96km in 9 days!

The Goal

Jacqui would love to raise $15,000 during the next 6-7 months, but recognises that this is very ambitious.

Please email Jacqui if you have any questions, would like to know more, or even get involved. You can also follow her journey on Instagram: Kokoda_2018

Start the conversation

Weekly Wrap

Do you want to keep up with what’s happening in Gungahlin? Every week we package up the best stories in a free newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now and find out what everyone else is talking about.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.