If you haven’t started training already, then now is the time to get moving because the fifth annual Head to Head charity run is rapidly approaching.
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The fun run, which is an initiative of the Crescent Head Lions Club, will be held at Crescent Head on August 27.
You can choose to run 5km, 10km, 15km or test yourself with the full 20km.
The course moves north from Crescent Head along the beach, with markers set at 5km and 10km, with the 15km and 20km runners turning around at the 10km mark.
This year, the Lions Club is raising money for Baylin’s gift, so fun run participants are encouraged to get dressed up in the colours of the rainbow as a tribute to Baylin Hoskins.
Baylin’s story is one of extreme sadness and tragedy.
At 16, Baylin told his mother he was bisexual.
After coming out, Baylin lost many of his friends and living in a small town became torturous with the ignorance and small-mindedness of others sending this previously vivacious and happy teenager into a deep depression.
Unfortunately, in 2016, three weeks before his 19th birthday, Baylin took his own life.
Mother, Hayley Hoskins, formed Baylin’s Gift to educate young people and their support networks on depression, anxiety, gender/sexual identification and suicide awareness.
The not-for-profit organisation aims to instill resilience and a healthy, balanced mind while promoting diversity and acceptance through the celebration of a person’s individuality.
“The main reason we started this was living in a small community, there wasn’t many services to provide support for young people who are LGBTI, and mental health and diversity are stigmatised, so we wanted to create awareness and offer support,” Mrs Hoskins said.
“It’s about finding their place in the community, where they are comfortable and can be whoever they truly are.”
Later this year, Baylin’s Gift is rolling out its carefully researched ‘Batyr’ program at Melville High School and St Paul’s College.
“Batyr is an Indian word referring to an elephant who could speak, so we’re talking about the elephant in the room,” Mrs Hoskins said.
Mrs Hoskins said young people want to discuss mental health, depression suicide and diversity with other young people.
“The program encourages people to reach out for help and is presented by young people under the age of 30, who have experienced these problems, and who are trained to ensure their message is appropriately delivered,” she said.
Lions Club representative Jo Watts said everybody that is involved in the Head to Head is so passionate about helping the local charity.
“Hayley just touches everybody, she inspires me and people can relate to her,” Ms Watts said.
“She’s got something, a spark and she’s doing it for her passion.”
Ms Watts said without the participants who keep returning year-after-year there wouldn’t be an event.
She also thanked the event’s sponsors, Mid Coast Communities, Claire Briggs, the Macleay Argus and the some 40 people who typically volunteer on the day.