Michael Waeger

Follow me whilst I  “Walk to the Moon for Mental Health”.  

On the 10th of February 2024, I will commence a 14 day trek, with the aim of reaching the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador, at a height of 6263m (20,550 feet), on 22 February 2024.  The summit of this mountain is the point on the Earth that is furthest from the centre of the earth, and the point on the earth on which you can stand closest to the moon.  

To climb a mountain you have to overcome mental challenges, thoughts will come into your head such as, this is too hard and I want to quit,  that is just not worth the effort anymore, thinking you are not good enough or thinking I just don't have the desire to keep going.  

A person battling mental health issues will have similar thoughts. Life is like climbing a series of mountains, most of us can climb the mountains that life puts in front of us, but sadly sometimes people come up against a mountain that is all to difficult for them and see suicide as their only option. 

Mental health is a silent killer within the construction industry, with the industry losing 1 person every 2 days to suicide. In my 30 plus years of being involved in the industry I have seen the impacts of mental health issues, I have seen people struggle with some of the challenges life has thrown them. Unfortunately people I have known were not able been overcome their mental health battle and have sadly taken their own lives.

In the last few years I have had my own challenges with mental health, but I had the awareness to seek help and had great support of family and friends, I had a great group of mates that supported me.   

“Walking to the Moon for Mental Health” is my way of giving back to an industry in which I have been involved in for most of my life, using this trek as fundraiser for Mates in Construction.  Every dollars raised goes towards the work they do in the area of suicide prevention, in building up a network of "mates" that people in the industry can turn to for support.

Mates in Construction plays an important role in raising awareness and educating people to recognise the signs of a work mate in need of help.

Donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to my charity of choice, Mates in Construction

Please note that I am fully self funding the cost of this trek myself,  none of the funds raised will go towards the cost of the trek, with all the funds raised going to Mates in Construction. 

Thanks so much for your support!