First-ever 24-hour luge marathon all for a good cause

An Arrowtown resident is attempting to ride the Queenstown gondola luge track for 24 hours straight in a crazy fundraising challenge for a cause close to his heart.

From 10am on Friday, November 1 until 10am on Saturday, November 2, Brent Wallace will be up and down the Skyline attraction in an endurance event to support Gumboot Friday.

Since its conception in 2019, the nationwide Gumboot Friday initiative, launched by the I Am Hope charity, has generated enough money to provide more than 100,000 free counselling sessions for young New Zealanders.

"This will be the first-ever 24-hour luge marathon, and it’s about far more than setting a record - It's about uniting as a community to support Gumboot Friday," Mr Wallace says.

"Every donation made through my Givealittle page will go directly to Gumboot Friday, helping them continue their mission of supporting young Kiwis in need."

Mr Wallace says his personal journey has helped him appreciate just how important accessible mental health support is.

"From my own experiences with bullying and traumatic incidents, I know firsthand the critical need for immediate and effective mental health resources.

I Am Hope has been spearheaded by Kiwi comedian Mike King, and Mr Wallace says the system Mr King has set up means young people can have an appointment within 48 hours of asking for help and be in front of someone within 14 days, plus the service is free.

Alongside advocating for and delivering timely support for those in need, the organisation is also working to break the stigma surrounding mental health, he says, and that is a mission that sits well with him.

"I’ve learned that our mental health system is stretched and underfunded. Mental health is an issue that needs to be dealt with today. If I have to put my mind and body through some pain for other people’s gain, I’m all in."

Keen to get involved?

Donate: Donations can be made via a dedicated Givealittle page: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/luge24hour
Ride the luge: Come up to Skyline Queenstown during normal operating hours (10am to 7pm) on November 1, Gumboot Friday
Cheer on the final lap: Come up to Skyline Queenstown when it opens at 9.30am on November 2 fro the final lap at 10am

Learn more about Gumboot Friday here: https://www.gumbootfriday.org.nz/

Main image (Supplied): Arrowtown local Brent Wallace will be riding the luge for 24 hours straight on Gumboot Friday.