This morning, Sunrise featured the Top Blokes Foundation and its nationwide Lift the Load Challenge, a movement inspiring Australians to take action for young men’s mental health this Mental Health Month.
Broadcast live from Sydney, the segment brought together Top Blokes Ambassador Harry Garside, Top Blokes participants and Lift the Load supporters – all united in raising awareness and showing support for young men doing it tough.
The Lift the Load Challenge invites people to wear a 10kg weighted vest and walk 50 kilometres throughout October, symbolically carrying the load of poor mental health and showing young men they’re not alone in what they’re going through.
“We exist to help young men live healthy and safe lives,” said Melissa Abu-Gazaleh, Founder and Managing Director of Top Blokes Foundation. “Through our mentoring programs, we give them the tools to make positive choices, check in with their mates, and build stronger communities. Lift the Load is about raising awareness, but also about having real conversations – showing young men they’re not alone in what they carry.”
Among those joining the cause is Olympic boxer and proud Top Blokes Ambassador Harry Garside, who spoke passionately about the importance of movement, connection, and self-expression.
“I’m a proud supporter of the Top Blokes Foundation,” said Garside. “I was really fortunate when I was younger that I had a foundation like this in my life – it really changed the trajectory of my life. I just want to be around young people and hopefully help them make a positive direction change in theirs.”
“It’s all about recognising that we’re all carrying something, even when we look fine on the outside… Even when people are moving through their day to day life, we’re all carrying something internally. This is about sharing that burden with friends and community so no one has to face it alone.”
Lift the Load supporters Midcoast Trucks also featured on the morning, with their team raising an incredible $58,000 so far for the cause.
“We’ve got 21 employees under the age of 24, and a lot of our guys spend long hours on the road, often alone,” said Terence from Midcoast Trucks. “The perception is men are tough, but inside, they’re masking what needs to be expressed. They need help just as much as young kids today, and this is a worthy cause. We’re happy to be on board.”
With nearly 2,000 participants lifting the load this month and over $430,000 raised so far, the movement continues to build real momentum, helping Top Blokes reach more young men through mentoring and education programs across Australia.
Join the challenge, lift the load, and help make a difference for young men everywhere.
👉 Sign up or donate at lifttheload.org.au
