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Karen Wellman

Miner V Wild 2026

I'm supporting youth mental health

This August, I'm joining a group of fellow mining industry adventurers to take on a wilderness fundraising challenge in support of Youth Focus, raising much-needed funds for youth mental health and vocational support services across Western Australia.

As a mum, a mining executive, and someone who spends plenty of time talking about resilience, this cause is one that's close to my heart. Young people today face enormous pressures, and having access to the right support at the right time can change the trajectory of a life.

I've committed to raising $15,000, so I'm reaching out to my friends, family, colleagues and industry network to help me get there.

Every dollar makes a difference. And if a donation helps motivate me when I'm trudging through the wilderness wondering why I signed up for this, even better.

For those of you following the story last year -I have temporarily retired my hockey stick to avoid any untimely injuries! 

Thank you for your support—it means more than you know.

— Karen 😊

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$724

My Goal

$15,000

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"The need for youth mental health support has never been greater, with 40% of young people experiencing mental health challenges in the past 12 months.

Miner v Wild challenges participants to test their own mental and physical limits. But just like the young people we support, they can't do it on their own.

Your support of Miner v Wild will help Youth Focus raise much needed awareness – and funds – helping us to provide mental health services for young people, when and where they need it." – Derry Simpson Youth Focus CEO

For almost 30 years, Youth Focus has been providing mental health counselling and support services to young people aged between 12-25 years old, making a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of families. In 2023/2024 Youth Focus supported 3,707 young people with 22,290 occasions of service.

Youth Focus is the only non-government youth specialist mental health service in Western Australia that offers young people early intervention mental health counselling and support, without referral and at no cost to them or their families.

At Youth Focus we aim to create a community in which young people feel safe reaching for support, and that high-quality services are available when they do. We want this to be the reality for all young people, everywhere in Western Australia. Our services are accessible, evidence-based, and youth-specific and include:

  • Counselling for a wide variety of mental health and wellbeing challenges, including anxiety, depression, family conflict, school stress, body image and eating disorders, and suicidal ideation
  • Education and community engagement
  • Vocational support for work and study goals
  • Support for communities impacted by suicide, natural disasters, and other crises

Thank you to my Sponsors

$54.84

Amy Sullivan

$106.12

Robert Joseph

Onya Karen.

$162.75

Entech Geo's

$250

Michael Boyce

Great work Karen - hope you’ve qualified for finals already!!

$150

Beccy H