Waitaki Boys’ High School prefects are raising funds and awareness for mental health through a 24-hour running event next month.

Head Boy Ben O’Sullivan said the 15 boys had a goal this year of creating an event the community would get behind.

“To go and do something really important that would make our community better, and this is what we've decided to do.”

 The event is called Running 72 - the number 72 signifying the percentage of suicides from 2019-2022 that have been males.

“We all know people who struggle, and I know friends and boys from Waitaki Boys’ that I've seen struggle, and so it was really about doing something to support them and sort of create some awareness in our community, and do it for the community as well,” Ben said.

The event will begin at 2pm on Friday, September 22, which is the last day of the school term, and will finish at 2pm on the Saturday. It involves a 3km run or walk around a track set up on the school grounds.

“So we're starting at two o'clock with the school and it's gonna be compulsory for all the boys to do it for the first hour, and then after that, if boys are going on holiday, or have got other plans, we can't make them stay. But, ideally we want the whole school,” Ben said.

The run is open to everyone else from 4pm, and teams of three to six can take part in the event overnight, which means at least one person in the team needs to be running or walking the whole time. 

“And then we've also got the option of people to do it individually. 

“So if they just want to come in and do a couple of laps and disappear again, not the whole 24 hours, but if they just want to run a few laps and disappear again, they can do that.”

For those who need their sleep, there is also the option for teams to start on the Saturday morning at 9am. 

Registrations for Running 72 are open, and more information can also be found on the Waitaki Boys' Facebook page.

The event has been supported by the Otago Community Trust which has contributed about $1500 to cover the operating costs, along with national mental health charities I Am Hope and Surfing for Farmers. Funs raised at the event will go back to these two groups, Ben said.

“I Am Hope has actually provided Richie Barnett, he’s an ex New Zealand rugby league player, who's a mental health advocate for them . . . So he's going to come down and speak to the boys and the community as well.”

As well as raising money and awareness for men’s mental health, Ben said the event is also a chance for the community to come together, maybe talk about issues, and just “have a good time”.

“Especially, like our farming community and stuff, to be able to have something like that where they can just go and hang out with some mates and run some laps.”

“We want a real sort of festival atmosphere out on Milner Park where you can bring in your tents and just have a good time, but also, we are looking to raise money, so businesses, individuals can donate as well on the website.”

I Am Hope and Surfing for Farmers were chosen because they fit with the three criteria the prefects had - they wanted organisations that benefit youth, men's mental health, and the North Otago community, Ben said. 

“Everyone's got different things going on in their lives that other people just aren't aware of, and so, it's just encouraging people to get out there and enjoy, and have a bit of time away from things.”