About the Walk
In October 2018, former Chief Commissioner of Police (CCP) Graham Ashton and the Police Association Victoria (TPAV) Secretary Mr Wayne Gatt walked together to support police mental health.
They came together from opposite sides of Victoria in the Head to Head Fundraising Walk, covering a combined 1,000kms on foot.
Both men set off on 1 October 2018. CCP Ashton started in Mallacoota and Mr Gatt led his team from Mildura.
Over three weeks, they walked the roads with a range of co-walkers joining them from Victoria Police, TPAV and the community, meeting ‘head to head’ in Wangaratta.
Along the way, they visited police stations and participated in events with local communities to:
- help broaden awareness and
- raise funds to support police veterans affected by mental health issues.
About the initiative
The Retired Peer Support Officer (RPSO) program was launched to support retired police living with mental health issues tied to their experiences in the job.
A dedicated team of former police volunteer their own time and money to support over 700 members experiencing mental health issues.
The program's philosophy is based on the belief that individuals who have shared life experiences can better relate to other people trying to deal with mental health issues.
Funds raised from Head to Head go towards:
- Helping the volunteers provide support to those who are registered with the RPSO program.
- Training and professional development for volunteers.
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