For Jason Crook, standing around and watching what is wrong with the world just isn't good enough.
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This Hanwood man sees the devastating impact of domestic violence on a daily basis at his job working for a solicitor, and is doing the Trek for Respect to help make a difference.
"In 2013, I took the White Ribbon oath, and now I have the chance to put that oath into action," Mr Crook said.
By swearing "I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men's violence against women", he is preparing to tackle the grueling Kokoda track in April 2020.
It will be extremely rewarding, doing it for the cause, and doing it for the experience of what the soldiers went through.
- Jason Crook
Running 96 kilometers overland through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea, the arduous, single-file track is the same infamous stretch known to Anzacs in WWII.
He is hitting the gym and equipping himself for nine days of "highly challenging" adventure through rugged mountainous terrain, tropical rain forests.
Not only physically harrowing, it will require steadfast mental determination.
Yet while acknowledging the challenge, Mr Crook said bearing in mind the reason behind his self-inflicted suffering while remembering those soldiers that had taken the same steps would encourage him to endure.
But also the wives, mothers, daughters, grand-daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, friends and colleagues. He will keep in mind this aim to reduce the wide-spread and longstanding impact of domestic violence.
"It will be extremely rewarding, doing it for the cause, and doing it for the experience of what the soldiers went through. Those two things will make it all worthwhile.
"People need to know that they can make a difference; bringing an end to men's violence against women will take a whole community approach."
With almost $2500 achieved so far of his fundraising goal of $6000, several events are coming up set to hit the bell. A trivia and games night has been organised for September 13 at 7pm at the Griffith Southside Leagues Club to help him reach his goal.
For more information and to support Mr Crook's Trek, or to take the oath with him, follow his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jasonstrekforrespect or email jason.crook@hotmail.com.
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