1m steps for Lifeline

Every year, Lifeline receives more than 1 million calls from people in crisis. Before World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, I am walking that number - one step at a time - to raise funds for Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mosman to Kirribilli

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Beach scene with sandy shore, ocean waves, partly cloudy sky, pine tree on the left, distant cliffs, and the sun partially obscured by clouds.

Why I’m walking

I’m Alistair Carmichael, Board Chair of Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mosman to Kirribilli. Every day, our local volunteers answer calls from people who are crisis and need someone to listen. Nationally, Lifeline receives more than 1 million calls a year.

This year, I set myself a challenge: walk the million calls. One step for every call. Over six weeks. Finishing on World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.

With the million steps, I am hoping to raise awareness and raise funds. Funds raised will help Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mosman to Kirribilli to answer the call and make sure no one faces their darkest moment alone.

On this site and linked socials I will share the journey. You can donate through the link (which opens to the Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mosman Kirribilli donation page)

Thank you for being part of the walk

Alistair, Board Chair

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Close-up portrait of a smiling man with blue eyes, light beard, and short brown hair, wearing a black collared shirt, against a plain gray background.

My progress

Last updated 29 August 2026

695,485 of 1,000,000 steps

$7,196 of $20,000 goal raised

12 days to go

Follow the walk

The good days and the hard ones - I’m posting daily from 1 August. Follow along on Instagram or catch the highlights here

1 August - The 1,000,000 has begun, with a 18k step walk

4 August - 10% of the way to the finish line, with 100,000 steps done. Very grateful for all of the support

8 August - 200,000 steps done - 20% of the way to the finish line

10 August - 250,000 steps / 25% of the way to 1,000,000 steps :)

16 August - 400,000 steps & 40% done. I’ll be halfway this Thursday or Friday :)

22 August - 500,000 steps and we are on the other side of the mountain. Getting smashed by this virus isnt helping

The latest from Instagram…

Another big day, covering more than 36,000 steps. I closing in on 70% of the way to #1mstepsforLifeline. Feeling very tired. On to day 30 for #lifeline. If you are able to support, you can donate here > https://fundraise.lifelinenb.org.au/fundrais
Four weeks done, covering nearly 550km and more than 650,000 steps on the way to #1mstepsforLifeline. Very much feeling the fatigue of covering a half marathon every day. 13 days to go! There is still time to donate > https://fundraise.lifelinenb.
Another 25k steps towards #1mstepsforLifeline and closing on 350k to go. 

If you’d like to support #lifeline’s important work, you can here > https://fundraise.lifelinenb.org.au/fundraisers/1mstepsforlifeline 
#mentalhealth @lifelinen
Day 26 done, including an evening 10km across the beautiful Sydney Harbour. Less that 400,000 steps to go to #1mstepsforLifeline. On to Day 27! I’d love your support > https://fundraise.lifelinenb.org.au/fundraisers/1mstepsforlifeline @li
What a wonderful way to start the day yesterday! I had the pleasure of walking with @lifelineaustralia Board Chair, Steve Moylan on my way to #1mstepsforLifeline. We chatted about the challenges and opportunities facing our communities and our #lifel
My biggest day yet! It had a lovely start (more on that tomorrow) and ended with a very soggy 23.5km walk this evening. Great to chip away at my step deficit. On to day 26 on my way to #1mstepsforLifeline 
 
I’d love your support > https://
Wonderful to share a brief walk this evening with two fellow @lifelinenb Board Members in @brucevial and Christopher Bennier and capture some steps on the way to #1mstepsforLifeline. @ajc_inst @lifelineaustralia #mentalhealthawareness #lifeline
Back over 25k steps for the first time in a week. The virus has left me even more fatigued such that the 25k felt like 40k. On to day 24 on my way to #1mstepsforLifeline You support means we can answer the call > https://fundraise.lifelinenb.org
Joining me on the walk today was Bruce Vial. Bruce is a fellow volunteer Board Member of @lifelinenb and longtime supporter of the important work that @lifelineaustralia does in our communities across Australia And with the steps today, that is 500,
Continuing to be challenged by this virus but managed 17k steps today. Tomorrow I'll take my 500,000 step on the way to #1mstepsforLifeline 🎉. Hopefully this virus lifts soon so I can start chipping away at the step deficit. Donations can be made he

Above Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mosman to Kirribilli

Since 1968, Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mosman to Kirribilli has been providing crisis support and suicide prevention services to those most vulnerable in our community—because we believe nobody should face crisis alone

Our services include: Crisis Support (13 11 14), Counselling, Support Groups, Lifeline Connect, Financial Counselling, Training

If you or someone you know needs support, Lifeline is there 24/7

Learn more