Donate to Aaron

Aaron Eastgate
8  year  Mo Bro
hall of fame

$0

Target: $2,500
raised $27,570 since 2017
My motivation
Fundraising for cause areas including:
Mental health and suicide prevention

Seven years ago, but it feels like yesterday, I nervously rushed back to my desk to return the many missed calls from my Mum.

“Aaron, your Mum has been trying to call you. It’s an emergency.”

What my Mum told me was the most shocking and heart-wrenching news. But I recall feeling numb as I grabbed my bag and left the office, almost like nothing happened.

Mum called back 5 minutes later. “Are you okay?”

Only then, as I walked alone across Driver Avenue in Moore Park did it start to hit me. My Dad was gone.

Do his brothers and sisters know? Does his Mum know? Do my brothers know? What do I tell my 2-year-old son next time he asks for the man he called Gan-Gan because he was too young to master the word Grandad?

Do we drive down to Nowra tonight to be with family? My wife is in the middle of IVF treatment, how do I tell her?

Seeing a different relative every day and having that sinking feeling was almost like being tortured.

But what about Dad? How did he feel? How did it get to a point where he felt the only way out was to leave the people he loved most?

That’s what makes me the saddest.

To try and put myself in his shoes and the pain he must have been feeling, to be able to end it all despite everything he loved being left behind.

Things must have been bad.

To put it all into perspective, for nearly 10 years my Dad had an undiagnosed illness that would constantly make him physically sick. If he was lucky, he would get a day or two where he felt normal. He would see a new doctor or naturopath and there was hope he would come good. But he never did.

One good day turned into two bad weeks and several emergency hospital visits because he just couldn’t stop vomiting.

But there was more to his illness than the physical aspect. He was struggling with the unwanted opinions of strangers who were judging him.

My Dad came out as gay in 2012. For a lifetime he disguised his true self because of the fear of being abandoned by his own parents, family and friends.

It was the Gay Marriage vote in 2017 that drew the last straw. Not only was he still physically sick almost every day, but mentally he had to listen to these strangers judge him on the news and all over social media when they knew nothing about him.

What must have been going through his head to want to leave us all? It’s something I think about a lot. Was he thinking of all of us when he decided it was time. Did he plan to write a letter but he was just in too much pain. We know he had tried before. But what was different this time?

Maybe he was at peace with where everyone was at in their lives or maybe the world is just too cruel and he simply couldn’t take it anymore.

I always try and remember the amazing times we all had with him. The countless breathless cackles as he threw out a crude one-liner. The amount of smiles he brought to us and everyone around him will always remain as my core memories of him.

I just wish he said goodbye. I just wish Christmas and all of those family events still included him. I just wish our kids got to experience his infectious personality.

But most of all I wish he knew how much we loved him.

Again, it’s the time of year where I find a way to remember him through growing a dirty moustache like his. But more importantly, raising funds and awareness for mental health.

This year, myself and my brothers, will be completing a triathlon on November 30 on the Gold Coast. Finishing up where we laid Dad to rest. I will be doing alternating daily swims, bikes and runs in the lead up to the triathlon and I would appreciate any contribution you can give, even if it’s just sharing this story.

Be that person someone can talk to. But more importantly, hug the ones closest to you that little bit tighter tonight.

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Team captain Aaron Eastgate
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Previous year's posts
28 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 40.01 km01:57:25

Previous year's activities
28 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 40.01 km01:57:25

Previous year's donations
30 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Kylie Blackburn
$870

I only wish my Dad had of spoken to someone after my Mum died. Maybe he might have had that will to be with his family rather than withering away

30 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Kylie Blackburn
$870

I only wish my Dad had of spoken to someone after my Mum died. Maybe he might have had that will to be with his family rather than withering away

30 Week(s) Ago
I ran 61.5 km

30 Week(s) Ago
I ran 61.5 km

30 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Politix Australia
$20

POLITIX wants to help you support Movember - so here's a little bit extra towards changing the face of men's health

30 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Politix Australia
$20

POLITIX wants to help you support Movember - so here's a little bit extra towards changing the face of men's health

30 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Therese & Mike Sayers
$75

What a wonderful legacy you have established to maintain the memory of your Father. He would be so proud. ♥️

30 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Therese & Mike Sayers
$75

What a wonderful legacy you have established to maintain the memory of your Father. He would be so proud. ♥️

30 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Andy Carter
$35

Good luck boys love yas,Carry Joshie in the swim leg will yas, your old boy would be extremely proud of the 3 great sons he produced.

30 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Andy Carter
$35

Good luck boys love yas,Carry Joshie in the swim leg will yas, your old boy would be extremely proud of the 3 great sons he produced.

30 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20 km

30 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20 km

30 Week(s) Ago
I swam 1 km

30 Week(s) Ago
I swam 1 km

30 Week(s) Ago
I ran 10 km

30 Week(s) Ago
I ran 10 km

31 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20 km

31 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20 km

31 Week(s) Ago
I swam 1 km

31 Week(s) Ago
I swam 1 km

31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Mitch Caton
$1,220
31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Mitch Caton
$1,220
31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Aaron Salvador
$65

Amazing job mate.

Up the tigs

31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Aaron Salvador
$65

Amazing job mate.

Up the tigs

31 Week(s) Ago
I ran 10 km

31 Week(s) Ago
I ran 10 km

31 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20 km

31 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20 km

31 Week(s) Ago
I swam 1 km

31 Week(s) Ago
I swam 1 km

31 Week(s) Ago
I ran 10 km01:05:13

31 Week(s) Ago
I ran 10 km01:05:13

31 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20.01 km00:57:24

31 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20.01 km00:57:24

31 Week(s) Ago
I ran 10.01 km01:11:17

31 Week(s) Ago
I ran 10.01 km01:11:17

31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
an anonymous supporter
$50

So proud of you, mate.

31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
an anonymous supporter
$50

So proud of you, mate.

31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
an anonymous supporter
$65

Every year, you do awesome mate.

31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Jodie Madge
$50
31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Bridget Platt
$50
31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Design Scout
$100

You are such a legend Aaron! What an incredible role model for your gorgeous kiddies to look up too.
Your beautiful Dad would be so proud of you xxx

31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Jake Eastgate
$100

A post tri swim at Greeny would be ideal. Maybe not in dickies like dad rocked back in the day

31 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Taylor Rogers
$5
31 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20 km

32 Week(s) Ago
I swam 1 km

32 Week(s) Ago
I ran 10 km

32 Week(s) Ago
I swam 1 km

32 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20 km

32 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Pringles Australia
$20

Look at you Mo! Pringles brand is popping in to celebrate your support of Movember with an extra $20.

32 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Eric Mort
$50

Haaawwwwyyeeeaahhh

32 Week(s) Ago
I ran 10 km

First time I’ve felt comfortable at a good pace!

32 Week(s) Ago
I cycled 20 km

33 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Fiona Comerford
$35
33 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Vaughan Vitale
$50

You've got this uso

33 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Kasha Tabaka
$25

Thank you Aaron for raising awareness for such an important topic and sharing your personal experience.

33 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Lucy Sutton
$65

Good onya Aaron. Sending love.

33 Week(s) Ago
Donation from:
Anthony Austin
$50

Thanks for sharing your story mate. Keep up the growing!

Previous year's posts
34 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

85 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

85 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

85 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

86 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

86 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

86 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

86 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

86 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

86 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

86 Week(s) Ago
Aaron Eastgate

135 Week(s) Ago
Jeff Morgan

Hi Aaron
I am really sorry to hear about your Dad. It’s an incredibly difficult event to live with. We're grateful that you have shared your experience and reason to Mo as it is talking openly about physical and mental health struggles that we can make a difference and help men open up and seek the help they need.
I’m impressed and amazed at the physical challenge you have set yourself and your progress to date. Not to mention the fact you have smashed your fundraising target by over $500 and we’re not at the end of the month yet. Thank you for your support and the conversations you're having. You’re making a difference
Jeff MoHQ

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