RISE runners take on The Spectacle to back men ready to change

RISE staff are lacing up their running shoes and taking part in Nelson’s running festival, The Spectacle, to raise money for men who voluntarily reach out to RISE to break the cycle of family violence.

Ten RISE staff will run distances from 10km to 50km and are gathering sponsorship for their run and training.

The Spectacle attracts runners from all over the world and will be held on December 4-5 this year. Co-founder Julian Matthews is encouraging runners this year to turn their entry into something that gives back to the community, and RISE is grateful to be one of 12 charities participants can choose to back.

Non-runners can support RISE staff by donating to their run and training.

If you are taking part in The Spectacle, you can also raise money for RISE through the Grassrootz platform. RISE is stoked to have participants in the The Spectacle running for RISE.

Donate to RISE’s campaign here: https://spectacle26.grassrootz.com/rise-living-safe

Where will money raised go?

Money raised will go to RISE’s Back a Bro campaign, a new campaign raising money for men who reach out to RISE voluntarily for help with their use of violence. These are men who want to do something about their behaviour, create safe relationships, and keep their family and themselves safe.

Who is running at RISE?

RISE staff taking part in the relay are Victor MacGill, Joelene Whitfield, Fran Bishop and Colleen O’Driscoll.

Angela, Maud, Marissa and Jaron Steffens will be running the 10km event, while Aaron Agnew is running in the 50km category.

Aaron, who is nursing an injury, says it is his first time entering The Spectacle himself, although he has completed a number of other events. He also joined his kids when they ran the mile at The Spectacle.

The RISE Development Lead says he chose the longer event because he wanted a goal that stretched him. He enjoys the training and the journey to the start line most.

He’s grateful for the support of his wife and children and says running is something that is good for him “all over in terms of my wairua (spirit) and hinengaro (mind), as well as my tinana (body).”

RISE Chief Executive Maud Molloy, who is running the 10km, says changing behaviour works the same way as training for a race.

"You get there one step at a time. Some days it's hard and what matters is that you keep lacing up your shoes and keep showing up. That's why I'm backing Back a Bro. We're backing men to take those steps and change how they behave, because every step makes whānau (families) in Aotearoa safer.

“The safety of whānau cannot wait. That's why we back men to take responsibility, every step of the way.”

RISE staff are raising money to support men to change and create safer families through running in The Spectacle this year. You can support their efforts by donating to their fundraising efforts.

Why Back a Bro?

Currently, when men voluntarily ask for help, there is no system to back them up. Their opportunity to change relies on their ability to fund sessions with RISE or private support.

Back a Bro helps keep that door open for the next man who knocks by helping fund his time at RISE.

When someone seeks help through RISE, they undergo an assessment process to understand their background and what they need. They then begin a 16-week behaviour-change journey.

Weekly group sessions, skilled facilitators, wraparound support, kai and practical resources all help make lasting change possible.

Back a Bro donation options:

• Mate: $15 a week puts kai on the table and resources in his hands.

• Bro: $40 a week for a year funds one man's whole journey.

• Legend: $100 a week for a year funds 2.5 complete journeys.

One-off donations are also available: https://givealittle.co.nz/org/back-a-bro

More about RISE

RISE is a specialist family violence organisation that helps people build safe, respectful relationships. Through support, education and behaviour change, it empowers whānau to break the cycle of violence and create lasting positive change. RISE has been walking alongside whānau for more than 38 years. Back a Bro today and become part of this history.