JESSE NEILL

PLAYFORD community volunteer David Northeast will be walking from Gawler to Port Pirie next year to raise awareness about men’s mental health, and the issues he sees with the family court
system.

He will embark on the near 200-kilometre walk in early January, and is calling on locals and businesses in the area to support his cause.

Mr Northeast will be walking for what he said is the “corruption, negligence and child abuse in the family court system, which is in need of urgent reform”.

“Many children are suffering from parental alienation, separation anxiety, trauma, psychological damage and mental health issues because of the flaws in the family court system,” he said.

“Too many innocent parents are also being punished and left broken beyond measure or compensation due to the lack of disciplinary actions for false allegations, slander, and abuse.

“Obviously, there’s people who do the wrong thing and children should be protected from them, but I’ve seen through my own experience and others how the family court system has destroyed  many lives – especially the children’s.”

Mr Northeast will be meeting his eldest daughter – who lives in Port Pirie – at the end of the walk and said he is dedicating the trek to her.

He will also be walking for men’s mental health, acknowledging the higher rates of suicide among males, with six out of every eight suicides in Australia being committed by men.

Mr Northeast wants to encourage men to speak up, but also to recognise fathers’ rights, and he has already been blown away by the reception he’s received for this message.

“At least 30 people have messaged me on Facebook about joining the walk and the feedback’s been pretty inspiring and emotional,” he said.

“I’ve had many fathers ask to take part in this journey, however I’ve also had mothers contact me too with their support and interest in the walk.

“This issue goes both ways; good fathers and mothers are being denied important moments with their children and we want to make an empowering difference in their lives.

“I hope this plants the seed, I’d love to have 100 to 200 people walk with me.”

Those who would like to take part in the walk, sponsor the cause, or make a donation can contact Mr Northeast on liveforhimjhn316@ gmail.com