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Anne Ryan

2026 March On Challenge

Please help me reach my goal

Raised

$2,418

My Goal

$1,045

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$74
$227
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Marching for a reason.

March On is a fundraising campaign lead by Soldier On.   I am participating in this challenge by personally walking 300km over the month of March. The fundraising aspect of this challenge helps Soldier On provide practical help and strategies aimed at reducing the high rate of suicide in our defence. Sadly, suicide occurs in all parts of our community, but I have a very personal reason for participating in March on.

I have always been inspired by people that contribute to our society. Our defence members, to me are some of the greatest contributors in terms of maintaining our safety and allowing us to live the lives that we do. But It saddens me the statistics around veteran and service member suicide rates. It is really sobering.
Statistics are numbers and they do not talk about the enormous devastation for everyone those left behind to continue after someone suicides. 

It was only January of last year that my son Lochlain took his life – he was and will now always be 20. He was a serving member of the Navy.  What inspires me? I am inspired by hope, I am inspired by the thought that if by raising funds and awareness by doing March on, if I can help just one person, and one family to not experience the pain and heartache that we have experienced by Lochie’s death then to me that is worth it. It is the smallest thing that I can do. 

Lochie Joined the Navy when he was 16. It was always his dream of joining the Navy. Ever since he was a small boy he would watch episodes of Sea Patrol on repeat. 

As soon as he got an opportunity, he joined the Navy Cadets.
And then when he left school he did his training at Cerberus before being sent to Darwin.    
In the last year of his life he was an instructor at the Sea Survival School at Cerberus . He absolutely loved his job, he was living his dream. He was looking forward to returning to sea and had been assigned onto a patrol boat. 

I had two Sons that served. My eldest in the Army and Lochie of course in the Navy 
 I was so proud of them both.  Enormously proud. My proudest moments were watching my boys at Anzac day ceremonies.  Anytime they were on parade. Anytime they had postings or deployments.

March On has so much more meaning for me now. It gives me a way to focus my grief and hurt and pain. I know that for Lochie it was hard for him to reach out when he was struggling in his personal life. I know for my older son his years since discharge from the Army have been filled with personal struggles. These boys have people around them that love them – like everyone in service they are sons and daughter, brothers and sisters, best mates, they are special and important to so many people and there is an enormous impact supporting them when they are faced with personal injuries.  I have lived that. It is devastating when someone takes their life. 
We want Lochies story to be the reason that someone finds not only the strength to reach out, but to be met with the help that they need when they do. Soldier On – March on gives me a reason to hope that I can change the outcome for as least one person. 

These conversations are uncomfortable but trust me it is not nearly as hard as living everyday without Lochie. 

So far, I have helped provide:

127

peer support
sessions

120

employment
support

7

psychology
sessions

...to support the mental health of our brave veterans to help them march on.

My Kokoda Track Journey

So far, I have marched:

31km

4kms until I reach Menari

My goal to Kokoda and back:

300km

My Legacy

My March On Impact Over The Years

My Achievements

Thank you to my sponsors

Legend Rank

Champion Rank

Defender Rank

Ally Rank

$527.50

Jacqueline

Your heart must be so broken You are an amazing mum

$527.50

Bruce - 8m

Go for it Anne. Happy to support.

$206.20

Marisa Grob

Anne, your story brought tears to my eyes. I hope the walk brings you what you need.

$158.25

Anne Ryan

$158.25

Lesley O’reilly

Hi Ann, sorry I can’t walk with you but I wanted to donate. Thinking of you & Lockie. Kind Regards Lesley

$110.72

Anonymous

Dear Anne. Reading your contact with us is so heart breaking. Both Lochie and yourself and family will remain in our minds, prayers and it is such an honor to contribute to Soldier On. God Bless always. Sandra & David.

$106.12

Anonymous

$106.12

Maddy

I’m with you xx

$100

Sheila Ryan

$100

Sheila Ryan

In memory of a much loved Grandson, Lochie, and for all his family XXX

$79.30

Nicholaine

So much love and strength to you and the fam Xo ❤️

$79.30

Tim Bull

$54.12

Leanne Foster

$54.12

Mark & Nola

Happy to support this worthy cause. Wish there was no need to. You’re an inspiration

$50

Nixie ❤️

Best wishes!!! Much love x x

$527.50

Jacqueline

Your heart must be so broken You are an amazing mum

$527.50

Bruce - 8m

Go for it Anne. Happy to support.

$206.20

Marisa Grob

Anne, your story brought tears to my eyes. I hope the walk brings you what you need.

$158.25

Anne Ryan

$158.25

Lesley O’reilly

Hi Ann, sorry I can’t walk with you but I wanted to donate. Thinking of you & Lockie. Kind Regards Lesley

$110.72

Anonymous

Dear Anne. Reading your contact with us is so heart breaking. Both Lochie and yourself and family will remain in our minds, prayers and it is such an honor to contribute to Soldier On. God Bless always. Sandra & David.

$106.12

Anonymous

$106.12

Maddy

I’m with you xx

$100

Sheila Ryan

$100

Sheila Ryan

In memory of a much loved Grandson, Lochie, and for all his family XXX

$79.30

Nicholaine

So much love and strength to you and the fam Xo ❤️

$79.30

Tim Bull

$54.12

Leanne Foster

$54.12

Mark & Nola

Happy to support this worthy cause. Wish there was no need to. You’re an inspiration

$50

Nixie ❤️

Best wishes!!! Much love x x

Thank you to my Sponsors

$158.25

Anne Ryan

$158.25

Lesley O’reilly

Hi Ann, sorry I can’t walk with you but I wanted to donate. Thinking of you & Lockie. Kind Regards Lesley

$110.72

Anonymous

Dear Anne. Reading your contact with us is so heart breaking. Both Lochie and yourself and family will remain in our minds, prayers and it is such an honor to contribute to Soldier On. God Bless always. Sandra & David.

$106.12

Anonymous

$106.12

Maddy

I’m with you xx

$100

Sheila Ryan

$100

Sheila Ryan

In memory of a much loved Grandson, Lochie, and for all his family XXX

$79.30

Nicholaine

So much love and strength to you and the fam Xo ❤️

$79.30

Tim Bull

$54.12

Leanne Foster

$54.12

Mark & Nola

Happy to support this worthy cause. Wish there was no need to. You’re an inspiration

$50

Nixie ❤️

Best wishes!!! Much love x x

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