1m steps for Lifeline

Every year, Lifeline receives more than 1 million calls from people in crisis.
Between 1 August and 10 September 2026 (World Suicide Prevention Day), I walked that number - one step at a time - to raise funds for Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mosman to Kirribilli
As I rest and think through what is next, you can still donate.

Donate now

1,000,000 steps done!

What could be your 1,000,000 for Lifeline?

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 walked…

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.

In 2026, 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 hoped to raise awareness and raise funds. Funds raised help Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mosman to Kirribilli to answer the call and make sure no one faces their darkest moment alone.

I completed the 1,000,000 steps on 10 September and am now taking a much-needed break.

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

Donate Now
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

1,000,000 steps done!

$15,443 of $20,000 goal raised

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

1 September - 750,000 steps done. The virus is gone but the fatigue, from more 600km in a month, is growing

10 September - 1,000,000 steps done. More than 800km across 41 days. Thank you for all the support

The latest from Instagram…

Thank you again for all of the support along the way to 1,000,000 steps for #lifeline. As I pause this account (for now 😊), I have one question: What could be your 1,000,000 for Lifeline? @lifelinenb @lifelineaustralia @ajc_inst
As I wrap up the #1mstepsforLifeline effort, I wanted to share some numbers from the last 41 days If you havent had a chance yet, there is still time to donate and every dollar helps #lifeline answer the call from someone in crisis > https://fun
1,000,000 steps, across 41 days, for #lifeline. I started the day at the Out of the Shadows walk and finished it at the official opening of the new @lifelinenb Neutral Bay Bookshop. There is still time to donate to the #1mstepsforLifeline effort an
I started the #1mstepsforLifeline 41 days ago. After more than 800km, I finished today at the @lifelinenb Out of the Shadows walk. My shoes are worn out and my body is sore and tired but it is all worth it to raise awareness and funds for #lifeline
Too many lives are lost or changed every year due to suicide If you are in this fight right now, hold on as the pain can end. Lifeline (13 11 14) is there 24/7 #1mstepsforlifeline #lifeline #worldsuicidepreventionday @lifelinenb @lifelineaustrali
40 days down, 1 to go. Tomorrow, at the Out of the Shadows walk in Manly, I'll complete the final of my #1mstepsforLifeline. All donations help #lifeline to answer the call > https://fundraise.lifelinenb.org.au/fundraisers/1mstepsforlifeline
Lovely to start this morning, (my penultimate on the #1mstepsforLifeline), with a walk with my good friend and former colleague Ben Fletcher I am now ~25,000 steps from the end, after 800 odd kilometres across the last 40 days. All donations help
Today, I spent time walking in the CBD, in Balmain, Lane Cove and Crows Nest. I am walking a bit slower now, as the damage from 39 days of half marathons is catching up. I do feel grateful to live in this beautiful city. Tomorrow will be my final ~
After 40 days of a half marathon a day, I'll be finishing my #1mstepsforLifeline this Thursday morning at the @lifelinenb Out of the Shadows Walk. We are meeting at 6.45am at the Manly Lagoon Reserve, Queenscliff (near the playground) and walking t
And that is a wrap on day 38. Tomorrow, I'll be within 50,000 steps of #1mstepsforLifeline and will visit a special place for #lifeline. Thank you for all that have sponsored so far. If you've been meaning to, there is still time to help us answer
Today I crossed the 900,000 steps mark, on my way to #1mstepsforLifeline. I will finish at the Out of the Shadows Walk (from 6.45am Manly Lagoon Reserve, Queenscliff). It was a tough day, being the first Father's Day since we lost dad, but good to

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