Tyre flips raise funds

RAISING FUNDS, FLIPPING TYRES

Lance Corporal Ash CarmichaelMcBride has achieved the incredible feat of flipping an 80kg truck tyre 2,517 times in order to raise money for veterans’ charities.

“The idea was sparked by wanting to do something both physically and mentally challenging to raise money and awareness for something I am passionate about. I have friends who have suffered through mental health issues and it’s important that the stigma is removed.”

LCPL Carmichael-McBride has been seconded to Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) in Australia for the last nine months, providing support to NZDF and ADF operations in Iraq in her role as an intelligence operator. Her tyre flipping challenge marked the end of her time at HQJOC, and she set herself a target of raising a total of $2,000 across two charities; No Duff New Zealand and Young Veterans Australia, both of which support the mental wellbeing of veterans. She was expecting to complete 2,000 tyre flips, but by the start of the event $2,517 had been raised and she committed to doing the full number of flips, despite this number seeming overwhelming at times.

“I started off okay, but I hit a mental wall around the 800 mark, and for the last 500 I couldn’t feel my hands. I got through it by trying to switch off from the pain and by reminding myself of the mental and physical pain that other people have been through. The support I received also kept me going.” LCPL Carmichael-McBride took three and a half hours to complete the challenge, during which time she displayed grit and tenacity, drawing on impressive reserves of mental strength to keep going, despite growing exhaustion. She was supported by a number of her colleagues who took turns to flip tyres alongside her and keep her motivated. Further cash donations were made during the afternoon, bringing the total raised to $2,917, well above the original target.

The tyre flip challenge was briefly interrupted so that LCPL Carmichael-McBride could be awarded a commendation by the ADF for her outstanding contribution to her job in her time at HQJOC. She has been an active participant in HQJOC activities and her citation noted that her performance exceeded her rank. Although it was an unexpected addition to the event, it was well in keeping with her efforts in achieving such a mammoth task, and she returns to New Zealand having done both herself and the NZDF proud, as well as raising valuable funds and awareness for an important cause.

Above: LCPL Carmichael-McBride hard at work. Right: Receiving a certificate from an Australian commander recognising her efforts.