WALKING 16 kilometres in ten years may not sound like much, especially for an elite athlete like Justin Westhoff, but his efforts have made a huge difference for homeless people in South Australia.
Westhoff is an ambassador for Hutt St Centre, which has long worked to help those who are doing it tough, including the approximately 6,000 people experiencing homelessness in South Australia every year.
Each year it runs its fundraiser Walk a Mile in My Boots to allow South Australians to experience what it’s like for people facing homelessness.
The walk will take place on Friday 9 August from Victoria Park to the southern parklands in the Adelaide CBD, and Westhoff will be there with some of his Port Adelaide teammates, taking a brisk winter’s walk.
At the end of the one mile (1.6 km), participants will get something to eat, a hot drink and some friendly faces to offer their thanks.
Westhoff says by taking part, it helps people doing it tough know that they are not alone.
“I’ve been involved with Hutt Street for around 10 years now… and looking back I didn’t realise the extent of what Hutt Street does and the overall extent of homelessness in South Australia,” he told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“Seeing first hand people coming in at 6:30 in the morning when it’s been five degrees outside for a warm meal and someone to talk to makes me realise it’s an idea we can change – especially with over 6,000 people homeless in this state.
“Homelessness is not just people living on the streets; it’s a wide spectrum of people doing it tough like single parents, people living out of cars or couch surfing – it’s not the stereotypical homeless person, so it’s important to show that to as many people as possible and change the circumstances for those people.
“Walk a Mile is Hutt Street’s biggest fundraiser for the year. They’re hoping to raise over $250,000 so that’s a lot of money for the centre that will go a long way to helping as many people as possible.”
As well as giving up his time to serve lunch and breakfast at Hutt St, Westhoff’s business Forage Supply Co has also donated meals and employed more than 15 of Hutt Street’s clients.
Hutt St Centre’s CEO Ian Cox told portadelaidefc.com.au that it showed the 32-year-old’s passion for helping those most at need.
“Justin has been coming to Hutt Street for many years now and came in with his mate Scott Rogasch looking to set up food trucks that would offer employment to our client groups,” he said.
“Just to have that opportunity is phenomenal for those people and we’ve seen the growth of those people because they’re given a chance.
“Westy is everything that embodies the goodness in the community.
“He could go off and be the footy superstar that he is and not give it another thought but he’s just a genuine, humble, values-based person who fits in with out culture and every time he walks in it’s like a breath of fresh air.
“People look up to him, not just because he’s 6’10 but because he’s someone who people aspire to be like as well.”
Westhoff and Port Adelaide players and staff will take on the walk on 9 August and are encouraging others to get involved as well.
You can click here to donate to Walk a Mile with Westy.
If you want to take part in the walk, click here to register. Use the discount code WESTY39 and get 30% off the cost of registration.
