Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
April McEachern. Photo supplied
April McEachern is rolling her way through October, aiming to skate 100 kilometres in an effort to raise money for mental health awareness.
Taking part in the One Foot Forward challenge, April is swapping the suggested fundraising walks or runs for her longtime passion of roller skating.
“Last year I aimed at 80 kilometres, I managed to get 99 kilometres, so this year we’re doing 100ks,” April said.
For April, the challenge is personal. Having lost her father to suicide when she was just three and later faced difficult relationships and her own mental health struggles, she knows how much it matters to have someone in your corner.
Those experiences have shaped her desire to support others, sparking her work in aged care and previous roles in pathology, community care and disability support, as well as time spent checking in on friends or shopping for a 91-year-old former client.
“I want people to feel compassion, care and know that there is always someone that will be there,” April said.
Getting outdoors has become an important part of maintaining her positivity, with skating holding a special place in her life since childhood.
Her late brother worked as a DJ at their local skating rink, where she spent weekends joining in the games and sitting with him in the booth. Years later, after moving to Bowen, joining roller derby helped her find a community of her own.
“But with skating, for me, that’s my freedom. I can put them on. I forget who I am. Everything that I’ve had to deal with is gone,” April said.
“So if I finish my shift and I’ve had a rough day, if I’ve had a resident pass away or we’ve had issues with them, I can put my skates on, I can put my headphones on and I can just let it go.”
“I found being outside, doing active things has really helped me get through my struggles.”
Now, she is hoping to raise through the challenge while encouraging others to get involved, with all the money being raised being put in mental health services around Bowen. She also has a longer-term ambition to see a mental health hub establishedin Bowen, giving people a place to connect and feel supported.
“If I can even just raise $100, that’s $100 that’s going to help,” April said.
“I want a mental health hub here in Bowen, I want it for the entire community,” April said.
“I want a place where they can all come and get together and be a part of the community.”
April is well and truly underway in her quest.
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