24-hour luger to raise money for Gumboot Friday
Arrowtown-local Brent Wallace will attempt to be the first person ride the Skyline Luge for 24 hours. It’s all for a good cause, taking place from 10am on 1 November, raising funds on Gumboot Friday and I Am Hope.
I Am Hope created the Gumboot Friday initiative to raise funds to provide free counselling to those 25 and under in a timely manner. Since the day’s inception in 2019, I Am Hope have provided more than 100,000 therapy sessions. Wallace was passionate about getting involved this year due to his own personal struggles in the past, and recognising how important these services are.
“We all have our wee moments in life, which I had a few issues a few years ago and I ended up seeking out counselling. Just due to a couple of life events which could of cost me my life,” Wallace says. “You sort of think you’re right – you’re dealing with it properly – but you’re not. After counselling I decided I wanted to do something which is going to benefit other people.”
Skyline have been amazing in helping bring all this together, too. Wallace explains that they have been behind the fundraiser from the moment he broached them. While the public will only be able to head up the gondola to support or join in during operating hours, there will be staff there to assist Wallace for the duration. He’ll also have a support crew to help him – he’s aiming to stop around every two hours for ten minutes or so. Preparations thus far have been intense.
“I’m doing three to four days of strength training a week, as well as using my running machine at home. My lower back, I think, will do me a bit of grief, but I’ll probably have a back brace and might end up carrying a big pillow with myself to sit down on every ride.”
Wallace is asking for help to make a real impact – any donation, big or small, will go directly to supporting mental health initiatives. You can also luge alongside him from 10am-7pm on the Friday, or just pop up to cheer him on. Wallace also wants to encourage any businesses that want to get involved to do so – they can donate at the link below, or sponsor him on a per lap basis.
If you’d like to donate or find out more information about the big day, you can head to givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/luge24hour You can also follow Wallace’s journey to 24-hour luge on his Facebook and Instagram @luge24hour
