Gallagher Bassett (GB) will be sponsoring the inaugural Head to Head Fundraising Walk which will be held on the 1st to the 23rd of October 2018.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton and The Police Association Victoria (TPAV) Secretary Mr Wayne Gatt will walk a combined 1,000km from opposite sides of Victoria to raise awareness of police mental health, as well as much needed funding for former members who are unable to access the same level of support as those still serving with the Victoria Police.

CCP Ashton will commence his journey form the Mallacoota Police Station and Sgt Gatt from the TPAV branch in Mildura. Over the three weeks, a range of co-walkers will join them from Victoria Police, TPAV, and the community, meeting ‘head to head’ in Wangaratta.

The walk aims to raise over $500,000 in direct support of the Victoria Police Provident Fund's new Mental Health Fund.

John McNamara, GB-Australia CEO, is proud that GB is supporting the upcoming fundraising walk. 

“GB recognises the vital role that police officers undertake in our community,” McNamara said.

“We’re honoured to be supporting such a worthwhile event and to help raise awareness of the unique challenges face by emergency workers, particularly the mental health battles that they may experience,” he added. 

The funding will be used to professionalise and expand the Retired Peer Support Officer (RPSO) program, a volunteer group of retired police members supporting over 700 mostly former members experiencing a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance and alcohol abuse.

The Head to Head raffle was recently launched, with more than $14,927 worth of prizes to be won. 

By entering the Head to Head raffle, you're making a contribution to support better mental health services for former members of Victoria Police. All of the funds raised will go directly to the Victoria Police Provident Fund's new Mental Health Fund and be used to help expand and grow vital volunteer services provided by the Retired Peer Support Officer (RPSO) program.