As a police officer, I attended many suicides.

At 27 years of age living and loving life, someone ambushed me on duty and shot me in the head and shoulder, trying to kill me.

A few years after this life changing event, facing a second attempt to reconstruct my shattered mouth—which would consist of many years of excruciatingly painful procedures—I could see no hope, joy or light at the end of the tunnel.

My thoughts turned to suicide, "I can end the pain, the struggle and the hopelessness I'm feeling!"

But being a police officer, I knew firsthand the ripple effect of suicide. Taking one’s life does not end the pain, but only magnifies that distress a thousand-fold across family, friends and the community. It leaves only grief, sadness and people asking so many questions, 'Why?', 'What could I have done to help?', 'How did I miss the warning signs?'.

One day out running at one of my lowest points facing the 2nd reconstruction, thoughts of suicide passed through my consciousness. I simply said to myself, “No, I cannot inflict this pain on my loving parents” and continued my run and chose life. With professional mental health care and the love and support of my parents, I came out the other side of the 2nd reconstruction, with a far greater appreciation for the gift of life.

A few years down the track, director Michael Hanson, was so taken with my story he made a short professional film which was dedicated to suicide prevention (https://www.twiceshot.com/short-film/). In 2018 an event was hosted at Brisbane Parliament House by the Police Minister, Mark Ryan MP, which raised funds for Lifeline, launched the film and saw me announced as a Lifeline ambassador.

It’s an honour to be a Lifeline ambassador and this year I’ve joined Lifeline’s Bridge to Brisbane team to raise funds to help support Lifeline’s 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Every 30 seconds, a person in Australia reaches out to Lifeline for help. And the pandemic has seen a surge in Australian’s calling on their services.

You can support my efforts and help me reach my fundraising goal by making a secure online donation. After donating you can even leave a message of support on my page – it would be great to read these.

Thank you for supporting me and the Lifeline team.

Now let’s get going and all make a big impact on race day!

As a police officer, I attended many suicides.

At 27 years of age living and loving life, someone ambushed me on duty and shot me in the head and shoulder, trying to kill me.

A few years after this life changing event, facing a second attempt to reconstruct my shattered mouth—which would consist of many years of excruciatingly painful procedures—I could see no hope, joy or light at the end of the tunnel.

My thoughts turned to suicide, "I can end the pain, the struggle and the hopelessness I'm feeling!"

But being a police officer, I knew firsthand the ripple effect of suicide. Taking one’s life does not end the pain, but only magnifies that distress a thousand-fold across family, friends and the community. It leaves only grief, sadness and people asking so many questions, 'Why?', 'What could I have done to help?', 'How did I miss the warning signs?'.

One day out running at one of my lowest points facing the 2nd reconstruction, thoughts of suicide passed through my consciousness. I simply said to myself, “No, I cannot inflict this pain on my loving parents” and continued my run and chose life. With professional mental health care and the love and support of my parents, I came out the other side of the 2nd reconstruction, with a far greater appreciation for the gift of life.

A few years down the track, director Michael Hanson, was so taken with my story he made a short professional film which was dedicated to suicide prevention (https://www.twiceshot.com/short-film/). In 2018 an event was hosted at Brisbane Parliament House by the Police Minister, Mark Ryan MP, which raised funds for Lifeline, launched the film and saw me announced as a Lifeline ambassador.

It’s an honour to be a Lifeline ambassador and this year I’ve joined Lifeline’s Bridge to Brisbane team to raise funds to help support Lifeline’s 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Every 30 seconds, a person in Australia reaches out to Lifeline for help. And the pandemic has seen a surge in Australian’s calling on their services.

You can support my efforts and help me reach my fundraising goal by making a secure online donation. After donating you can even leave a message of support on my page – it would be great to read these.

Thank you for supporting me and the Lifeline team.

Now let’s get going and all make a big impact on race day!