Walking off the War Within Down Under

Walking off the War Within challenge to shine spotlight on post traumatic stress disorder
NT News
ELLIE TURNER
April 16, 2017

Mr Shanahan reached the War Memorial on North Tce, in Adelaide, on Anzac Day, 2015.

But four months ago he lost his battle with the darkness and took his own life, leaving behind Kosha and their two children Lila, 8 and Ari, 4.

Dani Eveleigh and Paula Potts are taking part in the Walk Off the War Within challenge. PICTURE: Patrina Malone

FIREFIGHTER Nathan ‘Mule’ Shanahan marched 400km to battle his invisible demons and get people talking about the “black dog” to raise a message — not money.

His wife Kosha was teasing him when she suggested it as they were driving home to Mildura, Victoria.

“He wanted to do something big,” she said.

“When I said he should walk to Adelaide, he was like ‘yep, that’s what I’m going to do’.”

But donations came pouring in when mates, former colleagues and strangers found out about his plan because they wanted to join the colossal journey in their own way, helping the former Australian Army soldier actively combat post traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety in 2015.

Walking Off the War Within — Mr Shanahan’s solo march in army fatigues and boots carrying a 20kg pack from Mildura to Adelaide — raised more than $30,000 for Soldier On, a charity that supports Australian servicemen and women and emergency service workers with physical and psychological wounds.
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