Lifeline WA Charity Brunch 2016
Updated: Nov 3, 2018
Image credit: Lifeline
Every three hours, an Australian takes their own life. It is horrifying to think so many people in Australia feel helpless and feel that they have no one there to support them.
To provide a point of contact and the necessary support, Reverend Dr. Sir Alan Walker founded Lifeline in Sydney in 1963.
No one should ever feel like ending their life is their only option; however, there are around 200 attempted suicides each day in Australia with around 250 Australians making a suicide plan every day and around 1,000 Australians thinking about suicide every day.
Lifeline answers around 1,800 calls per day nation-wide, of which 50 are calls from people who are at high risk of suicide. The work that Lifeline does is quite literally life-saving.
This is why I was honoured to attend the Lifeline WA Charity Brunch for 2016 on Sunday, March 20th. This also coincided with the International Day of Happiness, which brought a nice touch to a day in which we had plenty to celebrate.
Global Goals Australia CEO Caterina Sullivan with Lifeline WA CEO Lorna MacGregor
Image credit: Global Goals Australia Campaign
Global Goals Australia CEO Caterina Sullivan with Lord Mayor of Perth Lisa Scaffidi
Image credit: Global Goals Australia Campaign
This is the 20th year that Perth philanthropists Vince and Anne Garreffa have opened their home to West Australians, or who they refer to as “Perthonalities”, to raise money for Lifeline WA. Over 200 people piled in to Vince and Anne’s backyard, and some of Australia’s best chefs cooked brunch for the guests.
Verity James, MC of the brunch with Lorna MacGregor, Lifeline WA CEO and Vince Garreffa
Image credit: Global Goals Australia Campaign
Through the donations of many generous businesspeople for the auction and the kindheartedness of all of the guests in attendance, Vince and Anne were able to raise $517,000 for Lifeline WA, breaking their records from previous years. Lord Mayor of Perth Lisa Scaffidi made the announcement after the conclusion of the auction in the Garreffa’s backyard on Sunday afternoon.
Lord Mayor of Perth Lisa Scaffidi announcing a grand total of $517,000 raised for Lifeline WA
Image credit: Global Goals Australia Campaign
Suicide in Australia is an urgent issue which needs to be addressed. The promotion of mental health and well-being makes up one of the 13 targets of Goal 3 of the Global Goals: Good Health and Well-Being.
Australia needs more “Vince and Annes” to not only raise funds but to raise awareness of these issues in order to continue our progress towards achieving the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Thank you, Vince and Anne, for your dedication to such a worthwhile cause. Thousands of West Australians have you and the team at Lifeline WA to thank for their ability to lead full and rewarding lives.
If you or anyone you know is thinking of suicide, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.
This article was originally published on the Global Goals Australia Campaign website.
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