Meet your fellow fundraisers

Ellen's Pop Up Cafe Fundraiser

Ellen hosted a pop-up cafe in her apartment on a Sunday morning. She stuck posters up around her apartment complex to invite her neighbours and put the word out to her friends and family. She used QR codes around her apartment linked directly to her fundraising page to get support and raised an incredible $1,300 on the day. 

"Choose an event that aligns with your interests and skills - it makes it easier and fun to organise. I love coffee, have a home espresso machine and also enjoy baking, so all I needed was to invite people over!" 

Ellen was inspired to fundraise when she found out about the prevalence of mental health issues. "Until I came across Women's Mental Health Australia I had no idea that 1 in 2 women were living with a mental illness."

Ellen, Your Way Fundraiser 

Miriam Skelly's Tribute Fundraiser

In honour of Miriam 'Mim' Skelly, her family donated $4,500 from a GoFundMe to Women’s Mental Health Australia to bring greater awareness and research into perimenopause and women’s mental health.

Miriam's Family, Tribute Fundraiser

Brooke's Endurance Run Challenge

Throughout 2026, Brooke will take on 10 million steps whilst raising funds to support Women’s Mental Health Australia – including a 24-hour run while dribbling a soccer ball in pursuit of another world record.

For Brooke, this cause is deeply personal. “Endurance running has played a profound role in helping me address and manage my own trauma and mental health, with each long run becoming a space where I could confront my fears, process difficult emotions, and find a sense of control in whatever it was that felt overwhelming.”

Brooke, Physical Challenge Fundraiser

Kellie's Market Stall Fundraisers

Kellie has run many market stall fundraisers over the years. One year, together with her daughter, they made hundreds of cupcakes. They've upcycled and sold clothes, sold merchandise, run raffles with local prizes and made a pet charity calendar to sell in local shops.  

Kellie has lived experience and is very connected to the cause. "Women's mental health is important to me because I'm a woman and I have a daughter. We both have mental health issues. It is still difficult for my daughter to access reliable, affordable, effective specific health care at all, let alone for mental health."

Kellie, Your Way Fundraiser

Janelle's Paint and Sip Event

Janelle organised a Liptember “Paint and Sip” fundraiser, which brought together 10 participants for a fun and creative evening in support of women’s mental health.

Her friend Cat helped to promote the event and gave a speech on the night to talk about the work that WMHA does.

Through the event, they raised $480. Each participant created and took home their own lip-themed artwork, making the experience both meaningful and memorable.

They were also fortunate to have a talented local artist generously donate her time to guide them step-by-step through the painting process.

"It was a wonderful event that combined creativity, connection, and raising awareness for an important cause." 

Janelle shared her top advice. "Ask yourself: What activity would a group of people genuinely love to do? When you build a fundraiser around something fun or meaningful, it’s much easier to get people involved."

Janelle, Event Fundraiser

Amanda's Community Fundraising Events

Amanda collaborated with a group of local businesses that were women-owned to hold two major events outside of their general fundraising efforts.  

These events included a movie night at BCC Cinemas and a brunch with The Townsville Women's Society, which included panel discussions on women's mental health.

In addition to these events, Amanda rallied her local community to join forces and create a fundraising team. As a team, they raised an incredible $12,000 and individually, Amanda raised $3,000. 

Amanda shared, "There are so many worthy causes, but if this one is as close to your heart as it is mine, give it your all! Make it FUNdraising, enjoy the ride!"

Amanda, Event Fundraiser

Brooke's Fundraising Soccer Match

With the support of her soccer club, Brooke hosted a charity soccer match and raised $3,500 for Women's Mental Health Australia.

They had two teams that were made up of a mixture of their female players, top-side male players and some of their social male players. They even had some husband and wife rivalries out there!

"It was so so much fun and the event was amazing! People at the club are still buzzing, asking me when the next one will be!" 

Brooke, Event Fundraiser

Shani's Birthday Marathon Fundraiser

This year, the Sydney Marathon falls on Shani's 30th birthday, and she is choosing to celebrate by challenging herself to run the marathon and raise funds for Women's Mental Health Australia.

Shani is asking friends and family to donate to her fundraiser in lieu of birthday gifts, including what they might otherwise spend on attending a birthday brunch, dinner or celebration.

Shani will be encouraging her loved ones to come along on the day to cheer on the runners!

Shani, Celebrate Fundraiser