EP8 - Allan Sparkes CV OAM VA. Heart 2 Heart Walk Ambassador.

Allan Sparkes CV OAM VA - Heart 2 Heart Walk Ambassador.  _______Listener discretion is advised; some episodes raise issues regarding mental health, suicide and other matters that might not be suitable for all listeners.  If you need support check out our support page here._______In this Heart 2 Heart Walk Podcast, Matt talks to Allan Sparkes on location at the National Police Memorial in Canberra.  Allan shares his skills, support and knowledge to so many mental health focused organisations as Patron, Ambassador and all round supporter so its unlikely in this space you haven't already come across him. The Heart 2 Heart Walk is honoured to have Allan as our Ambassador and supporter of our walk and foundation objectives.Towards the end of his 20 year career in the NSW Police Force, Allan faced some of his toughest shifts including being involved in a tactical response team deployed to a scene where two fellow police were shot and killed at Crescent Head in 1995 and the rescue of a young child from a flooded storm water drain in perilous circumstances in 1996 that would later see him awarded the Cross of Valour - Australia's highest civilian honour.  These actions took their toll on Allan personally, and he uses these experiences today helping others facing their own struggles across so many sectors of mental health education and advocacy.Thank you Allan for your tireless work supporting causes such as ours.Allan has authored the book The Cost of Bravery - available hereMore about Allan Sparkes can be found here ____________________________Get it now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and others: https://linktr.ee/h2hwalk www.heart2heartwalk.org#danpronk #H2hwalkpodcast #heart2heartwalk2023 #triplezeroalliance #heart2heartwalk #firstresponderfamily #firstrespondermentalhealth #firstrespondersaustralia #firstresponder #firstresponderfamily #FirstResponderPTSD #firstrespondersuicide #ptsd #mentalhealthawareness