The Lifeline Classic is back again for the third year running as well as is our highly succesful Board Swap fundraising event.

It's even more pertinent with many recent deaths across the Northern Beaches already this year, and the stats from last year are sobering. In 2018 thirty people took their lives on the peninsula, which makes the Lifeline Classic an important community event.

This year the event has been shifted to Queenscliff and Lifeline is aiming to break their fundraising record for crisis support and suicide prevention.

With eight Australians attempting suicide every hour, and eight deaths by suicide occurring every single day, this is an issue that needs Australia’s attention. Lifeline needs community support to reduce these sobering statistics.

The Lifeline Classic is a ‘tag team’ surfing comp – but it’s also a fundraising challenge. Teams from across the Northern Beaches have signed up to ride the waves at Queenscliff Beach, while also raising as many donations as possible. The funds raised by each team goes directly to Lifeline, where it supports the national 24/7 crisis line – 13 11 14 – and gives anyone who is in crisis the opportunity to reach out and find someone to talk to.

“Our annual surfing event is all about bringing the community together,” said Lifeline Northern Beaches CEO David Thomas. “The Lifeline Classic will have a number of community mental health organisations involved, and we want to make sure that anyone who needs support with their mental health knows where they can turn for help.”

While Lifeline receives some government funding, providing free crisis support every hour of every day requires the generous and ongoing support of the community. Lifeline needs help through volunteers who donate their time to answer calls, plus regular donations.

You can join in the fun by watching from the sand at Queenscliff on Sunday, 28 April and donate for a great cause by clicking here.

Swellnet, with the help of Saltbush Cafe, will be running another Board Swap event to raise money for our team, with the location being moved to North Steyne Reserve, Queenscliff on Sunday the 3rd of March. Last year was a huge success with around 100 boards being sold including vintage and collector items. It's an event not to miss and you can find out more details here: Swellnet Lifeline Classic Board Swap Fundraiser

Again, you can make a donation to Swellnet or another Lifeline Classic team by visiting the Lifeline Northern Beaches website www.lifelinenb.org.au and following the links.

Need crisis support now? We’re here to help. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7) or visit www.lifeline.org.au