When Michael Ward wants to support a cause he believes in, he tends to start walking.
In 2017, he bought a one-way ticket to Adelaide and walked back to Melbourne.
Two years later, he walked from Melbourne to Canberra.
Most recently, he helped rally 25 colleagues to take part in Soldier On’s March On Challenge, raising more than $7,000, while his employer, EBM RentCover, contributed a further $10,000 to support Soldier On’s work with veterans and their families.
For Michael, however, the fundraising has always been about something bigger than the final total.
Exploring the bigger picture
The walks, the challenges and the conversations they create have given him a way to speak openly about mental health, suicide prevention and the experiences that have shaped his life.
‘I should be part of the solution as well,’ he says.
Michael became a Soldier On Ambassador in 2019 after completing his walk from Melbourne to Canberra in support of the organisation. The event marked the beginning of a relationship that continues today and reflected values that have guided him for many years – honesty, action and a willingness to help others.
Born and raised in Liverpool, Michael joined the Royal Air Force at just 17 years old. He spent almost 18 years serving as a logistics specialist and rose to the rank of Corporal.
Military service gave him opportunities, friendships and experiences he still values today. But it was also during those years that his life changed forever.
In 2005, Michael’s younger brother David, a Royal Marine who had served in Iraq, died by suicide.
The loss had a profound impact.
Michael remained in the Air Force for another two years before leaving in 2007.
‘I just couldn’t put the uniform on and look myself in the eyes and say, “Okay, I’m going to work now”,’ he says.
The years that followed were difficult. Michael openly speaks about struggling with grief, anger and his own mental health before eventually finding a way forward.
‘I was suicidal myself,’ Michael says.
‘I did think I was going down a rabbit hole.’
Taking steps towards healing
Moving to Australia provided a fresh start, but it was sharing his story that ultimately helped him begin processing what had happened.
While working for Origin Energy, Michael found himself speaking more openly about mental health and the importance of creating supportive workplaces. He could see the value in raising awareness, but he also wanted to do something practical.
That decision led to his first fundraising walk.
As he made his way from Adelaide to Melbourne, he shared videos, started conversations and spoke candidly about grief, mental health and suicide.
Something unexpected happened.
People started sharing their own stories with him.
Some had experienced similar losses. Others were facing challenges of their own. Many simply appreciated hearing someone speak honestly about topics that often remain hidden.
‘By sharing my story and then having people come back to me saying, “You’ve helped me”, you start that healing process,’ he says.
Those experiences changed Michael’s perspective.
Creating life-changing conversations
Today, he sees his ambassador role as an opportunity to keep those conversations going.
Whether he is participating in March On, fundraising through his workplace or speaking with veterans and supporters, he believes small actions can have a meaningful impact.
This year’s March On Challenge demonstrated that perfectly.
Rather than organising one large event, participants completed their own activities throughout the month, sharing updates and encouraging one another along the way.
‘It became a really good engagement side of it as well, not just raising awareness,’ Michael says.
The challenge gave people an easy way to get involved while creating opportunities to talk about veteran wellbeing and mental health.
For Michael, that combination is powerful.
He would like to see ambassadors become even more connected and involved in the future, sharing ideas, supporting one another and finding new ways to raise awareness of Soldier On’s work.
‘More than happy to help out anywhere and any way I can,’ he says.
That attitude has defined Michael’s relationship with Soldier On from the beginning.
He doesn’t claim to have all the answers.
What he does know is that speaking openly about difficult experiences helped him rebuild his own life.
It also showed him how many people are carrying struggles they rarely talk about.
As a Soldier On Ambassador, he hopes his story encourages others to seek support when they need it and reminds them they do not have to face challenges alone.
For Michael, that is reason enough to keep showing up, getting involved and doing what he can to help.
