Canterbury Mornings

The founder of the Gumboot Fund says its success is what ultimately drained it of money.The mental health campaign, launched in April, raised $1.3 million to provide free counselling for under 19 year olds.While the fund was allocating around $120,000 a month for the first five months, it boomed at $920,000 for September.Mike King told Chris Lynch their wait time was a week, while other services were six to 26 weeks.He says doctors began referring their patients to the gumboot fund which resulted in the surge in demand.  Since the funds have dried up King says he has heard from counsellors saying they are concerned about their vulnerable patients. Another fundraiser will happen again next April.