Community TAB Shines A Light For Life Three Years Running
12 December, 2016
Community TAB is supporting Lifeline WA’s ‘Lights for Lifeline’ campaign for a third year in a row, with a $25,000 contribution to the not-for-profit organisation.
This contribution brings Community TAB’s total financial support to the organisation to $175,000 which has supported training more volunteers for their call centre, specifically over the festive season when demand is at its highest.
Elizabeth Quay is shining bright this Christmas with Lifeline WA’s Christmas Tree – the State’s biggest – shining a light on Western Australians in need.
The 15 metre tree is adorned with more than 55 000 sparkling lights – representing the lives of all of the Western Australians who called Lifeline’s crisis support line, 13 11 14 this year.
Racing and Wagering WA Chairman Jeff Ovens said Community TAB was committed to making a difference within the local community.
Mr Ovens said the first two years of the partnership with Lifeline WA had been a wonderful affiliation and is thrilled for it to continue for another year.
“Lifeline WA is an outstanding not-for-profit organisation that provides a vital service to the WA community and one which we are very proud to support,” Mr Ovens said.
“Community TAB is proud to commit a further $25,000 to the Lights for Lifeline campaign to go towards training much needed new Telephone Crisis Support Volunteers to answer calls from those in need.
“Mental health is one of the most pressing issues facing our community and Community TAB believes this ongoing partnership is a way of making a positive difference.”
Lifeline WA Chief Executive Officer Lorna MacGregor said the demand for Lifeline WA’s services was continually increasing and the charity needed extra funding to meet the demand.
“The festive season is Lifeline’s busiest time of year, and our volunteers answer a call every 32 seconds to our 13 11 14 crisis support line,” Ms MacGregor said.
”Community TAB’s support means that we will be able to train more volunteers to answer more calls to those in crisis, and ultimately save more lives.
”Lifeline WA relies heavily on the goodwill and support of the WA community and corporate supporters and we are very grateful of the support of Community TAB.”
It costs $25 to fund one crisis support call to 13 11 14 and contributions to the Lights for Lifeline campaign will directly support Lifeline WA to expand its crisis support services and train more volunteers so that Lifeline WA can answer every call.
The spectacular 15 metre tree was installed over 3 days, took 500 man hours to set up, and 35 people worked on the installation. The tree was transported in a 20 foot container and was installed with the use of a cherry picker and a boom lift.
The impressive tree is open to the public who are being asked to help fellow Western Australians in need by donating to the Lights for Lifeline campaign, the charity’s biggest ever Christmas fundraising appeal.
You can help to shine a light on suicide by donating to the Lights for Lifeline campaign: https://lights.org.au/