Over $20,000 was raised for the Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network (WSPN) event held in Cannonvale over the weekend but volunteer Matt Stokes said the fact that people knew the organisation was present within the community was even more valuable.
“Raising community awareness that we are here to talk was the biggest value of the night,” he expressed.
WSPN is an active charity organisation which is dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention and helping those impacted.
Any money donated goes directly to three key local initiatives; giving families effected by suicide free and immediate counselling when they need it most, school-based programs that educate children about mental health and weekly free breathwork sessions that help people with staying calm and present.
Each year WSPN hold regular fundraising events and last weekend’s ‘Legends on the Field,’ was a huge sell-out success with 130 people present on the night.
Attracting an all-star cast of speakers, NRL legend, Shane Webcke, former AFL player Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt, Brant Webb, and Rob Payne owner of Mark Twain yacht, each spoke about their experiences.
The evening was full of raw and powerful stories where each of the speakers shared details about their personal journeys.
Take-home advice included “put your hand up and talk” right through to mindset and an understanding that “life isn’t fair and it’s pretty tough getting up and doing the grind, but if you scratch beneath the surface most people are feeling the same.”
Speaker Brant Webb, who is one of the miners trapped at Beaconsfield Gold Mine in Tasmania in 2006, explained what was running through his head during the incident but also said his main battle was after the event.
“He was fine for many years,” said Matt.
“Then he was hit with medical anxiety and couldn’t physically het himself to work – he offered practical tips for getting back again.”
During the evening Matt Stokes also gave an insight into how WSPN actively helps the community and two courageous community members shared their own accounts of personal battles.
“They talked about their lived experiences, and it was heartbreaking,” explained Matt.
“But it was worth so much to see their raw emotion.”
WSPN’s next event is on September 10 on World Suicide Prevention Day, and they will be launching a Shine The Light Program and conducting a memorial service with blue lights on the Fig Tree on the Airlie Beach Foreshore at dusk.
The dedicated volunteers and guest speakers at the ‘Legends on the Field’ event held at the Reef Gateway last weekend. Photo credit: Tropix Photography
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