Get involved, raise funds, raise awareness
Perinatal Fundraising Champions
Perinatal Fundraising Champions
People who have set up fundraising events for PADA
Our Perinatal Wellbeing Champions are everyday people whose lives have been impacted in some way or another with Perinatal Mental Health issues, or who want to help raise awareness and funds for our mahi and PADA mission; Championing awareness and facilitating best practice in perinatal mental health and wellbeing to ensure all families have access to appropriate information and support. We give our sincere thanks for all the efforts of people around Aotearoa in helping support our mission.
Cherie McKinnon – Pounding the Pavement for PADA
Over the last few years, long time PADA supporter Cherie McKinnon has been happily pounding the pavement (walking) for PADA. She is donating money for every kilometre she undertakes. She has made a commitment to continue this until she is unable to walk! (We hope you look after yourself though Cherie!), and also hopes to get back into the swimming pool and will raise money for swimming laps.
Cherie is looking forward to fundraising for PADA by walking half of the Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon 2023 on Sunday 10th September 2023. We will share Cherie’s fundraising page once this is set up. Thank you so much Cherie for your unending support of PADA and Perinatal Mental Health, you truly are a champion!

Cherie McKinnon – Walks the OTAGO RAIL TRAIL
Long time supporter of PADA, Cherie McKinnon, has dusted off her walking boots and poles yet again to walk the 152 kilometre Otago Rail Trail in aid of PADA, and you can support her here on her Givealittle page.
Cherie has been fundraising for PADA in many ways; throughout the last year, she has been “Pounding the Pavement” when I can. For every kilometre, she has been slowly donating to PADA. We are so grateful to our supporters who work to raise funds which help us do our mahi, and raise awareness of Perinatal Mental Health issues in her local area, as well as our national organisation. Thank you Cherie!
Joelle Legg – Fit to Fight with Boxing Alley
Mum of two, Joelle Legg, is taking part in an eight week challenge called Fit to Fight with Boxing Alley in Auckland, and set up a Givealittle page; Oh Mumma, you can…
“My husband, Mike, and I own and run Boxing Alley. While I manage so much of our business, and have been involved in class work, actually stepping into the ring is something I have never done nor is something I am naturally drawn to do until now. My reason for doing this is to use the strength (mentally and physically) I have worked hard to develop to challenge myself and to inspire others. I am a Mum of two beautiful boys, Rocco 6 and Brax 4. I was diagnosed with Postpartum Depression with Rocco and Prenatal Anxiety before Brax was born. To have been where I was feeling such an incredible burden on my family (especially with a very supportive one and no great reason for hardship) and through what I have in the past 6 years and to be where I am now is something I am incredibly proud of and the beliefs I now have around this have all changed.”
Read more about Joelle below and show your support by going to her Givealittle fundraising page here.
Veronica Linfoot – 365 Runs for PADA
Running 365 consecutive days to overcome postnatal depression and raise money for Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa along the way.
“Hey I’m Vee. I experienced severe post natal depression with the birth of our daughter almost three years ago. I started a running streak on her 2nd birthday last year as a way to help overcome the PND.
On 21 July 2022 I will have run 365 days consecutively, running a total of 1533.4kms in the last 355 days and on track to hit a total of 1591.4kms on run 365. I’m not a runner.
Anyone who knows me knows I hate running so this streak has been a big challenge for me. As a way to celebrate my upcoming year of running I’ve decided to fundraise for Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa (PADA) so they can continue to support other families experiencing what ours went through.”
You can show your support for Vee here.
Catherine Lambert – 30kms for PADA
During the first week of May, Catherine will run 30ks for PADA and will match her donations dollar for dollar up to $200.
“PADA is a national organisation advocating for anyone experiencing mental illnesses as a result of pregnancy, childbirth or early parenthood. PADA believe that if a parent experiences perinatal mental illness they should know support is available and that they’re not alone. And I agree! Every dollar helps – show your support!”
Follow Catherine on instagram.
Ella West – Hiking Up Wairere Falls for Perinatal Mental Health Awareness Week
“I am a mum to three young and wonderful boys who are aged 6, 3 and 1 and I’m also a year two midwifery student. I can relate so much to mental health and wellbeing who also developed postpartum anxiety and depression. I’ve become aware of the importance of self care, support and a healthy lifestyle.
I actually started walking and hiking when my youngest son turned just a month old; exploring places I never knew existed, then suddenly feeling more connected to the world and myself and becoming happy again. It’s a slow process but with a kind mind, body and soul helps tremendously!
I’m taking part in this fundraising event because I love nature and being outside but also realising how vital mental health is especially for new mamas and papas. It’s so important to listen to our bodies and take good care of it for ourselves, whanau and our new pepi.”
Thank you Ella for your support through The Good Registry!
Josie Rawlinson – Movin’ up the Mount for Maternal Mental Health
Josie describes herself as; a midwifery student of unremarkable fitness hoping to fundraise to support the work of PADA. The first week of May is Perinatal Mental Health Awareness week and PADA is hosting their Choose to Move fundraiser event. The plan is to walk/crawl up Mount Maunganui’s Mauao for every $20 raised (so if $60 is raised, up and down three times), capping that at 10 trips up Mauao. Thanks for your support through The Good Registry, Josie!
Cherie McKinnon – Running the 2021 Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon
PADA Supporter Cherie McKinnon chose to run the Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon walking the half marathon and raising funds for PADA. Since February 2021 she was ‘pounding the pavement for PADA’, and for 10km walked, $1 came our way! You can read more about Cherie’s involvement and support her here!
Hannah O’Donnell – Movie Fundraiser, Lighthouse Pauatahanui, June 2021
One of our supporters organised a viewing of the movie ‘Herself’, along with yummy treats and a raffle, which was attended by a full audience in Pauatahanui Lighthouse Cinema, Wellington, in June 2021. Thanks so much Hannah, for all the work you did that went into organising this, and for raising over $800 for PADA.
Billy Powell
Longest Day – Coast to Coast
In 2020, Billy Powell signed up to compete in the Longest Day – Coast to Coast race to raise funds for PADA and Lifeline. He ran, kayaked and cycled 243km in one day! Thank you so much for your support Billy!
Do you want to help raise funds for PADA?
Whether it be to take part in one of our fun runs, hold a work morning tea, organise a movie fundraiser or compete in a sporting event of your choice, whatever ideas you have get in touch with us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!
Also check out other ways you can Fundraise for PADA!