General News
5 October, 2022
Funds flow in memory of Thomas Vickers
THE team behind the Let’s Dog the Black Dog fundraiser have tallied more than $35,000 to support the development of a local mental health initiative.
THE team behind the Let’s Dog the Black Dog fundraiser have tallied more than $35,000 to support the development of a local mental health initiative.
The group took part in the Melbourne Marathon on Sunday as a culmination of the fundraising initiative, which was conceptualised after the suicide of 20-year-old Dixie local Thomas Vickers in 2021.
Founding members Xavier Vickers, Thomas’ brother, along with friends Hugh Porter, Connor Cardwell and Kane Johnstone wanted to do their part to ensure nobody else endured the loss they had.
Funds raised will be used to support Thomas’ mother Lizz Kelly and her friend Sheryn McDowell in creating a space for the community to openly discuss mental health.
The duo is currently studying to take an active role in providing support, and will announce further details in future.
At the time of publication, the GoFundMe account the group had set up had reached $12,710.
Additional contributions, including $5229 from Terang Mortlake Football Netball Club and $3008 from The Shed in Noorat, have taken the total raised to around $36,000.
“It’s just so hard to put in to words,” Mr Johnstone said.
“You don’t know how to thank everyone because it’s community-wide, we’ve got a fair few sponsors and businesses have shown their support, so it’s just great.
“With everyone getting behind us, it just shows what a great community we live in.
“The community has rallied after Thomas’ death, and we can’t thank everyone enough.”
Mr Johnstone said he was “overwhelmed” with the amount of support.
“It’s pretty crazy how much support we’ve got, and I can’t thank everyone around the community enough,” he said.
“We were only going for about $10,000 but we’ve already more than tripled that, so I can’t really describe it.
“The support is just incredible.
“If we can save one life, it’s all worth it.”
As the group arrived at the Melbourne Marathon on Sunday, Mr Johnstone said it was a “crazy” feeling to have come so far since the fundraiser was first launched.
“We got there early in the morning, and couldn’t believe how many people there were,” he said.
“The boys did really well, and Hugh blitzed it, but we all made it through, which was good.
“When I saw Lizz and Sharon at the marathon I just went over and gave them a big cuddle; what they’re doing is amazing, and what they’ve been through is just so tough.
“It’s something we don’t want anyone else going through.”
Click here to donate to the Let's Dog the Black Dog fundraiser.
