Running for a cause

Following the tragic loss of their daughter Amber in 2022, Richard Wraith , the senior principal of Matthews Steer’s Government Grants Team, and his wife Tamara have done incredible work to set up Amber’s White Light (AWL), a charity that supports research, and implementation of research, into complex mental illness and suicide prevention for teenagers and young adults.

AWL is one of the 14 mental health charity partners that have been selected as a beneficiaries of this year’s Run The Tan, which is taking place at Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens on Sunday April 30. An annual event, Run The Tan be attended by elite athletes, celebrities, emergency service workers, and schools, all circumnavigating one of the most popular running tracks in the world – The Tan – to raise funds and awareness for AWL and other local mental health charities.

AWL is currently RUN THE TAN ’s leading fundraiser for 2023, having already attracted pledges totalling more than $32,500 and Richard says he’s overwhelmed by the support the charity has received.

“Running was one of Amber’s particular passions so this event resonated with us and it seems it has resonated with others from friends and family to work colleagues and all sorts of other people who have come on board to run or to donate,” says Richard. “You can go for a run around The Tan any old day, but when you focus people’s attention and give an event a purpose, people seem to be able to identify with it more tangibly.

“AWL wants to build awareness around youth mental health and rising rate of mental illness in our young people, particularly in young women which sometimes goes under the radar.

We also want to advocate for research-based best practice in dealing with mental health conditions within hospital emergency and other clinical settings, and eventually we want to fund research into accurate diagnosis and treatment of the root causes of mental health conditions.”

Ken Matthews , CEO of Matthews Steer, acknowledges Richard and Tamara’s outstanding work in setting up AWL. “What Richard and Tamara have achieved in the past few months is nothing short of amazing,” says Ken. “They are building momentum to bring about change in the fields of youth mental health and youth suicide and I urge everyone to support them in this cause, which is of immense importance and value to our wider community.”

If you would like to make a donation to support this important charity through Run The Tan please visit the Run The Tan website.

If you would like to learn more about Amber’s White Light visit the charity website.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling contact:

Kids Helpline T: 1800 55 1800 W: kidshelpline.com.au

Lifeline T: 13 11 14 W: lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service T: 1300 659 467 W: suicidecallbackservice.org.au