Longest walk- Cranbourne resident Julie Bendall has completed her trek from Adelaide to Cranbourne, to raise awareness and funds for suicide and depression. 60155

By Bridget Cook
CRANBOURNE resident Julie Bendall has put in the legwork and taken huge steps to raise awareness and funds for suicide and depression.
Ms Bendall completed her trek from Adelaide to Cranbourne on Good Friday, and was welcomed by more than 50 members from the local community, including Flinders MP Greg Hunt as she made her way into Cranbourne, who joined her for the last leg of her walk.
Her 15-day walk from one state to another came to an end at the Life Central building, on Station Street in Cranbourne, where everyone enjoyed a barbecue.
Tragedy struck Ms Bendall’s family in 2000, when her brother Jeffrie Reardon committed suicide.
The tragedy inspired her to complete training into suicide intervention and prevention and led her to run support groups for those bereaved by suicide.
Battling to continue to assist people and train others due to the cost and stigma, Ms Bendall decided to train for the long trek to help raise awareness not only within the local community, but beyond it.
Ms Bendall raised $5750 on her journey, which will go towards training people to better deal with those at risk of suicide and depression.
Ms Bendall said she was overwhelmed by the response she received from people along the way.
“When trucks drove past they would honk and yell out ‘good on you’ and ‘keep going’,” she said.
“Everyone at the caravan parks we stayed at was so supportive. Every stop we made, people were interested in what we were doing.
“Words can’t describe how amazing the response was.”
Ms Bendall said she achieved what she set out to do.
“I raised money so I can continue my support,” she said.
“I also spoke to so many people along the way who have been affected by suicide in some way.
“I think it made them feel better that someone was trying to do something about it and raise awareness.” Ms Bendall said it was so moving when she returned to Cranbourne.
“About 50 people, some I knew, some I had never met, were in the Good Guys Cranbourne carpark waiting for me, holding a ‘welcome home Julie’ banner,” she said.
“They all joined for the final stage.”
Ms Bendall said due to her success, she planned on organising a similar fund-raiser in the years to come.
Despite walking between 50 and 63km each day, Ms Bendall said she coped well with the gruelling trek.