TR Group's Tractor Trek and Gumboot Friday Appeal

TR Group is jumping aboard to help raise funds for mental health advocate and 2019 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, Mike King as he embarks on a nationwide tour to promote positive, societal and attitudinal change towards mental health in New Zealand.

In the lead up to Gumboot Friday April 3, Mike King and 30 others will travel 2000 kms on a fleet of 20 tractors to host free community and school events throughout the country. TR Group will be providing Mack the Hopeful Black Dog as a support vehicle for the Trek.

The Gumboot Friday initiative, which launched last year, aims to raise five million dollars for free counselling. Last year Gumboot Friday raised 1.3 million to provide 10,670 critical counselling sessions to more than 2,500 New Zealanders.

New Zealand's latest suicide statistics released by the Chief Coroner in August last year showed another annual increase. In the year to June 30, 685 people took their own lives - 17 more than the previous year.

“Now more than ever, we need kiwis to reach out to friends and whānau. We encourage everyone to ask those you’re closest to if they’re ok. “Our nationwide trek is about raising awareness and encouraging communities and individuals to drive the attitudinal and social change that is needed to reverse the incidence of anxiety, suicide and depression."