Johns ready to rest after charity walk

Rugby league great Andrew Johns is ready to put his feet up after a tiring six-day
Newcastle to Sydney charity trek to raise awareness of depression and mental
illness.
Crossing the finish line on Friday, an exhausted Johns said he was looking forward
to doing nothing but watching footy and catching up with family and friends.
"I start work on the (rugby league) World Cup on Sunday and it's my (wedding)
anniversary tomorrow, so I'm going to get some rest for both those occasions," he
said just before finishing the walk.
The former Newcastle Knights, NSW Origin and Kangaroos halfback was joined by Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd last Sunday for the start of the walk.
Mr Rudd pledged $2 million to the Black Dog Institute for research into bipolar
disorder and other mental illnesses, while the nib Foundation donated $100,000.
The institute, which specialises in mood disorders, has supported Johns since he
came clean about his drug use, depression and bipolar disorder in August last year.
"I hope for people to realise that there's no need to suffer in silence and at some
point to seek help," Johns said.
He said he was inspired after reading a book about former English cricketer Sir Ian
Botham, who walked all over the UK to raise funds for leukaemia research.
Johns walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge before being greeted by Deputy Prime
Minister Julia Gillard as he crossed the finish line at The Rocks about 4.15pm
(AEDT) Friday.
He was accompanied by about 50 supporters, family and friends, including surf star
Matt Hoy and Parramatta Eels player Brett Finch, who accompanied Johns all the way.
Johns diverted from the walk at various points to kayak, swim, surf, play golf,
coach kids rugby league, and play cricket with sport personalities.
The walk followed the coast and took in - among other places - Belmont, Lake
Munmorah, North Entrance, Terrigal, Gosford, Newport and Manly before finishing at
The Rocks,
The former international said the hardest part wasn't the walk but a canoe paddle
from Lake Munmorah to North Entrance.
"The biggest challenge was the canoe paddle I had to do with the two trans-Tasman
adventurers James (Castrission) and Justin (Jones)," John said.
"I paddled into the southerly and also into the tide. It took us about four and a
half hours to cover 23 kilometres. That was really tough."
Reflecting on his own youth, Johns was especially interested in helping younger
people who he said were at greater risk of depression and mental illness because
society places too much pressure on them.
"I think we expect too much. We want them to map out their lives before they're old
enough to understand it," he said.
"I can remember when I was a teenager there were times I really struggled.
"I kept it all inside because it wasn't the male thing to do to ask for help, and it
was probably the worst thing I could've done."
The exact amount raised is yet to be determined, as it will include cash and cheque
donations made along the way and a fundraising dinner on Friday night.