Melbourne Marathon - TEAM SAM

On the 15th of January 2022, my brother Sam went for a bushwalk in the Blue Mountains National Park (Glenbrook) and never came home. Although we know he isn’t coming home, we are still looking for answers to what might have happened.

Some of my favourite memories with Sam are the times we shared in the bush together. He wasn’t a man of many words, but in the bush, he came to life - often with a nature book in hand, a camera around his neck, and his precious daughter Charlea either on his back or racing down the path ahead of us. He would teach us about all the wonders of the bush, let Charlea smell alllll the flowers, and encourage me to be brave as I scaled up rocks.

This October, I will be running the Melbourne Half Marathon with a group of sensational humans (TEAM SAM) to raise a bit of awareness in the hope that someone, somewhere, knows something. Alongside this, TEAM SAM will raise money for causes close to Sam’s heart. However, please do not feel obliged to donate - I know times are tough.

The only thing Sam loved more than trees was his precious (now) three-year-old daughter, Charlea. So, I’ve set up a little fundraiser to help Charlea get some ongoing support while she learns how to process such complicated grief.

If we happen to raise more than $3000, any additional funds will be evenly split between The Bob Brown Foundation and SANE.

The Bob Brown Foundation (https://bobbrown.org.au) embodies Sam’s love of nature and trees – “to save the forests before the furniture”. This charity was chosen because Sam proudly wore a Bob Brown Foundation t-shirt.

SANE, Australia (https://www.sane.org). SANE is for people with recurring, persistent, or complex mental health issues and trauma, and for their families, friends, and communities.

Finally, while I’ve got your attention, I would like to thank all the emergency services, volunteers, wider community members, and dear friends and family for their unwavering support and kindness over the past nine months. In the most challenging moments, I have been reminded that rays of light can still shine through.

Lots of love.

For more information, see here: https://www.facebook.com/nswpoliceforce/posts/309835997855493

https://7news.com.au/news/missing-person/family-of-nsw-arborist-who-vanished-in-blue-mountains-almost-three-months-ago-appeals-for-answers-c-6198940?fbclid=IwAR1rLbMTbDAAPM2D1EgEpgVYrFCSXBYsr2-3_tiuMEl4c-EwEtrt3kQrrbA

Note:

TEAM SAM logo was designed by the incredibly generous Mark Lording at Frankston Tattoo (Instagram @marklording)