One Step, One Arm stroke, One Conversation

Now Kicking off on April 11th
The team have made the difficult decision to postpone the challenge. The National State of Emergency in place due to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle requires the focus be firmly on keeping everyone safe and supporting those affected by the weather.

A group of passionate Kiwis, including some of New Zealand’s favourite former athletes, are taking part in a gruelling physical and mental challenge to raise awareness and money for youth mental health in New Zealand.

Raising funds for free kids counselling

With the generosity and support of New Zealanders we will continue to supply private care and counselling for young people in distress.

2666

Sessions funded

Due Drop Hope Challenge 2023

16-day relay event to Swim–Bike–Run from Cape Reinga to the Beehive in Wellington

The Due Drop Hope Challenge, sponsored by Due Drop Foundation, is a 16-day relay event to swim/bike/run the length of the North Island, from Cape Reinga to the Beehive in Wellington, to raise awareness about the struggles young people face accessing counselling, despite a $1.5 billion investment by the current government.

“The wait times for our kids to see a mental health professional are getting longer and it seems we are becoming more reliant on medication to fill the void. This challenge is the ideal opportunity to promote our free counselling service Gumboot Friday and inform Kiwis that there is an alternative to these excruciatingly long wait times and medication,” says Mike King.

Tri-ing to Keep Up: TRACKING THE TEAM's AWESOME PROGRESS

legendary Kiwis rise to the occasion

Kicking off on April 11th, it will be run, cycled and swam by All Black Hall of Famer, Ian Jones MNZM, better known as the "kamo kid", and former World Triathlon champion, Commonwealth Games Triathlon champion and Commonwealth Games swimmer Rick Wells.

The event will conclude with a hīkoi to Parliament led by I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday founder Mike King, where he will meet with a government representative to convey the group’s concerns regarding the critical need for leadership and decisive action on improving youth mental health in New Zealand.

“Encouraged by our previous efforts in the Great Barrier Challenge, we hope to raise money and awareness around mental health for Mike King’s I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday charities. The distance between Cape Reinga and Parliament is 1,063 kilometers, and our goal is to raise enough money to cover 1,063 counselling sessions.”
Ian Jones
Former New Zealand rugby player, the Kamo Kid
“New Zealand has one of the highest teenage suicide rates in the world. Everyday our children suffer from depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other mental health challenges, and we need more people to be talking about it, with urgency.
Most of the participants in our group are not professional or seasoned athletes, but we’re putting ourselves through acute pain in the hope of the country taking notice of the pain our children are in.”
Rick Wells
Former World Triathlon champion
King, who has been training with the group for the biggest physical challenge of his life, points out once again, legendary Kiwis rise to the occasion to get our rangatahi the help they need.
“Inaction is injustice, and we’re taking action. If those in power won’t do anything about our kids’ suffering, we will, and we are. Who knows if I’ll make it out the other end of this, but I am going all in.”
Mike King
Mental health advocate

How to get Involved

There are several ways to get involved with the Due Drop Hope Challenge: become a sponsor by helping financially, by providing food or equipment for the event, make a donation, or come along to the community talks (which will be announced closer to the event). Check out our social pages for updates and information on the event: @gumbootfriday and @duedrophopechallenge

Contact us about sponsorship/support

In your Community

Are you a business owner looking to support the Due Drop Hope Challenge? Download and display our posters in your street-facing window or somewhere visible to the public to let everyone know about our upcoming community events. The posters include information about the events and where to go in the local area. Thank you for your support!

Please note that the free community events will be rescheduled in April.

Our updated posters will be available soon

At your workplace, gym or club

We challenge your workplace, gym or club to get behind the boys and do your own version of a triathlon.

download workplace/ club poster

At your school or pre-school

Organise a run, bike or water activity, then challenge another
school, classroom or pre-school to do their own "triathlon"!

download school poster

participants

Ian Jones says the group of likeminded and probably “somewhat crazy old mates” are putting themselves through their paces to bring to the forefront the hopelessness and profound suffering that afflicts young people in New Zealand, driving New Zealand’s “absolutely tragic” suicide statistics.

Ian Jones

All Black Hall of Famer, better known as the "kamo kid"

Rick Wells

Former World Triathlon champion and a legend of swimming

David Mitchell

Auckland businessman and keen swimmer

Richard Hart

Auckland real estate guru and comic relief expert

Karim Rostami

Polio virus survivor for whom walking again was considered a miracle

Geoff Evison

Auckland IT professional and keen international swimmer

Mike King

Founder of I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday

Richie Barnett

Former international rugby league star

16-day relay event Route

Swimming–Biking–Running the length of the North Island

On the way down the North Island, the athletes and their supporters will engage with local iwi, communities, schools, and businesses to encourage participation, whether it be running a kilometre with the team or meeting them at the finish line.

Follow the team's journey on Instagram: @gumbootfriday and @duedrophopechallenge

Day 0 – Monday 10 April
Houhora
Day 1 – Tuesday 11 April
MANGONUI
Day 2 – Wednesday 12 April
RUSSELL
Day 3 – Thursday 13 April
ONE TREE POINT
Day 4 – Friday 14 April
AUCKLAND
Day 5 – Saturday 15 April
CLEVEDON
Day 6 – Sunday 16 April
WHANGAMATA
Day 7 – Monday 17 April
Mount Maunganui
Day 8 – Tuesday 18 April
WHAKATANE
Day 9 – Wednesday 19 April
LAKE TARAWERA
Day 10 – Thursday 20 April
TAUPO
Day 11 – Friday 21 April
NEW PLYMOUTH
Day 12 – Saturday 22 April
WHANGANUI
Day 13 – Sunday 23 April
TAIHAPE
Day 14 – Monday 24 April
Foxton
Day 15 – Tuesday 25 April
Paraparaumu
Day 16 – Wednesday 26 April
BEEHIVE

Our sponsors

Our generous corporate partners wholeheartedly support Gumboot Friday.

Cover our CHARITY costs

Costs are covered by the generous donors who give to I AM HOPE. If you would like to make a donation, please go here: Donate to I AM HOPE.