It’s the reason he and fellow paramedic Tayla Salisbury are on a mission to help their comrades by Running as One.
The idea for the event came to light over a few drinks with friends one ordinary night ahead of Dry July last year.
It was to embark on a run (or cycle) to all the towns in the Hume 2 region they service as paramedics and raise $20,000 for The Code 9 Foundation through their efforts.
The foundation, a not-for-profit charity started by a member of the police, provides a place of support for current and veteran professional first responders and Triple Zero operators who live with PTSD, depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions that result from their service to the community.
“Code 9 is a police code for ‘member needs assistance’,” Mr Moore said.
“They do more things for people and their families rather than putting money into research, counselling and admin fees. They look at the bigger picture.
“At the moment they’re doing things like fishing charters, four-wheel-drive trips, meals for people and their families who are struggling, kids’ camps.”
Mr Moore is not new to running, or fundraising.
He’s racked up 32 marathons and ultra-marathons, including one that saw him run a mammoth 183km in 24 hours round and round an athletics track.
He’s raised $5000 for the Black Dog Institute and autism charities throughout his fitness journey.
But for some others who’ve signed on to the challenge alongside him, running is a new concept.
“Running is often a punishment in most sports,” he said.
“But it’s good to be able to switch your brain off and you can go for a run anywhere.”
The course will see runners and riders travel 280km over seven days from Yarrawonga to Shepparton, taking in Cobram, Numurkah, Murchison, Tatura and everywhere in between.
So far, 20 runners and cyclists have signed up.
Some will participate for one or more days.
Five of them — three on foot, two on wheels — will do the whole seven days and 280km.
Mr Moore expects the biggest participation day will be when the pack traverses the “easy” 22km between Tatura and Murchison.
Come day seven, the community is invited to run, walk or cycle alongside emergency services athletes on their last leg, from Mooroopna to Shepparton
Mr Moore has in the past worked as a fitter and turner, a tennis and running coach and at a youth remand centre with kids who’ve committed serious crimes.
He’s been a paramedic for four years and says it’s his favourite of all the jobs he’s had, despite the impact it has on mental health.
“Early in 2023, I think it was, within an hour radius of Shepparton had close to 30 per cent of the state’s road toll,” Mr Moore said.
“We work closely with Fire Rescue Victoria and Victoria Police, we actually know each quite well.
“The general public sees everything differently to how we see it.
“We’ll be asked what the worst thing we’ve ever been to is and, really, I don’t want to relive that and you don’t actually want to know what it is.”
Ahead of the run from April 7 to 13, a fundraising charity night will be held on March 29 at Tatura’s Middle Pub, where sponsors have donated hampers and vouchers for door prizes and an auction, and the owners will donate a drink and canapés on arrival.
The $40 entry fee will go directly into the donation kitty, which is so far up to $9155 (as of March 14).
∎ To donate to Running as One, visit the fundraising page: tinyurl.com/5xxkjyab
∎ To sign up to participate in Running as One, visit: tinyurl.com/mwhn429r
∎ To stay updated, follow Running as One on Instagram here: instagram.com/runningasone
