A former sheep shearer from WA, Lenny Deacon, is undertaking an extraordinary journey, cycling around Australia on a recumbent trike, with the goal of raising $1 million for the Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation.
His ‘You Are Not Alone’ ride is dedicated to the memory of ‘Dippa’ Wheaton, who tragically died by suicide in 2021 at the age of 43. In Australia, nine lives are lost to suicide every day and seven of them are men, a devastating reminder of why Lenny’s mission to shine a light on men’s mental health is so urgent.
Beginning in November 2024 from Bunbury, Western Australia, Lenny has cycled through Esperance, crossed the Nullarbor Plain.
He then travelled across South Australia, including a visit to Kangaroo Island, continued through regional Victoria and Tasmania.
Lenny then travelled up to Canberra, where he had a personal meeting with The Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care and Disability, to deliver a message about the urgency of men’s mental health.
During their meeting, Minister Butler acknowledged the importance of grassroots advocacy like Lenny’s and reaffirmed the federal government’s recent $32 million investment into men’s health and wellbeing, a critical step toward addressing the growing burden of mental illness in Australia.
Since leaving Sydney, Lenny has ridden to North Entrance, visiting schools and attending community fundraisers, and then onto regional Delungra to support the Shear4Life Speed Shear event, raising crucial funds for mental health in the sheep shearing community. He now heads up the East Coast, with Byron Bay his next place to stop, on 23 September.
Lenny is no stranger to endurance or community. After 16 years as a sheep shearer on Kangaroo Island, he raised $45,000 for Breakthrough through a 24-hour ‘Shearathon’.
Now, he’s using his voice and wheels to connect with communities across the nation, bringing stories of resilience to the surface and inspiring others to speak out and seek help.
Breaking through
CEO of Breakthrough, John Mannion, said, ‘Lenny is a vital voice for our foundation. His story resonates with many Australians, and through his adventures, he shines a light on the urgent mental health crisis. While many share his struggles, he is one of the brave few leading the conversation, breaking down stigma, and inspiring change.’
Supporters can follow Lenny’s journey through the Doin it for Dippa Facebook group, where regular updates and donation links are available. To date, Lenny has raised $26,117.
Donations can also be made directly at https://breakthroughcommunityhub.org.au/yanar to fund vital mental health research and life-changing initiatives.
Lenny Deacon’s solo ride across Australia continues to inspire communities, connect towns, schools, and industries, and raise awareness for mental health nationwide.
Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation is a for-purpose organisation dedicated to funding research into mental health. Breakthrough’s mission is to advance mental health through funding breakthrough research, fostering community engagement, and empowering individuals and organisations through mental health literacy and education to create lasting change.
Key areas of focus for research include depression, eating disorders, Indigenous mental health and youth mental health.
Find out more about Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation here.
Lifeline is available on 13 11 14, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
