Fallen star’s epic walk for bipolar

BY EMMA KEMP
After a 15-year career playing elite-level Rugby League, Andrew Johns has decided to go for a long walk.
The former Knights halfback will walk from Newcastle to Sydney to raise awareness of bipolar disorder, of which he suffers.
The walk will also raise money for The Black Dog Institute, a mental health organisation that specialises in mood disorders such as bipolar, formerly known as Manic Depression.
Johns, who came clean about his drug use and depression last year, sees the walk as a meaningful way to destroy the stigma associated with mental illness.
‘If you are suffering from bipolar disorder or depression, it can be incredibly difficult to talk about it, especially for young people,’ said Johns.
‘I hope they realise that they’re not on their own, and they can see someone like myself and draw strength from that.’
He said he did not know where he would be without the continued support and treatment he received from The Black Dog Institute.
‘Well I don’t even want to think about it, I’d hate to think. They’ve been a great help for me and helped me turn things around.’
The disorder, which is known for its symptoms of exaggerated mood swings, or extreme ‘highs’ and ‘lows’, affects approximately 600,000 Australians.
Johns said he thought a charity walk would be a good idea after reading a book about Ian Botham, the former English cricketer who has walked all over Europe and the UK to raise money for leukemia.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will be among the celebrities, sporting personalities and politicians who will join in the event. Mr Rudd will walk with Johns for the first leg of the journey that stretches from Newcastle Town Hall to Bar Beach.
‘I understand he’s a Broncos fan,’ Johns said of Mr Rudd. ‘He’s a Queenslander so he’ll probably want to talk about the State of Origin this year and the last couple of years when they beat NSW.
‘I’m sure we won’t be talking about politics, I’d say that’s the last thing he’d want to talk about, and to be honest its the last thing I want to talk about too.’
The event will include a sport-a-thon that will take place along the way and include cricket matches, surfing and beach volleyball.
Johns has also donated the custom-made boots he wore in his final rugby league game to raise money and public awareness for The Black Dog Institute and bipolar disorder.
The walk will start on October 19, and finish on October 24, when Johns is expected to cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge.