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Border Mail
Speaking out for mental health
BY SARAH DEAN
TAKING the first step to help
yourself through a mental illness
is one of the keys to success, claims
a woman taking part in a cycling
marathon to raise funds and high-
light mental health issues.
Liz Leorke, who suffered
depression and an eating desire in
her teens and early 20s, was talk-
ing from personal experience.
"For me it was about self esteem
... hopefully I can encourage people
to talk about it because that is the
first step," she said.
Liz Leorke and Cameron Stewart, of Melbourne, are cycling across Victoria to raise money for mental
health adventure camps run by the PCYC. Picture: MATTHEW SMITHWICK
Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Brief: YMCA_VIC
Tuesday 27/4/2010
Page: 6
Section: General News
Region: Albury-Wodonga VIC Circulation: 24,734
Type: Not available
Size: 233.83 sq.cms.
Published: MTWTFS-
The Melbourne woman, 30,
began her 1450km ride across
Victoria on April 17 with her
boyfriend, Cameron Stewart.
The pair rode through Wan-
garatta on Anzac Day and had a
break in Oxley yesterday.
The $5000 Miss Leorke has
raised to date will help run camps
set up by the YMCA Victoria.
"I want to stress that my effort
is no greater than the effort it
can take for someone living with
mental health to leave their home
for four days to attend an outdoor
adventure camp," she said.
Page 1 of 1
Miss Leorke works as a project
director for the camps that have
been held across the state, includ-
ing Wangaratta.
Funded by the Depart-
ment of Planning and Commu-
nity Development, Sport and
Recreation Victoria until June,
Miss Leorke hopes to ensure the
longevity of the program.
The Camp 'n' Cycle for Mental
Health ride will continue through
Bright and Falls Creek before
finishing in Melbourne on May 7.
Donations can be made at
everydayhero.com.au/cc4mh.
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