News Stories

What: These two challenge seekers will take on “Relay for Lifeline” a 10hr relay challenge with a hand trolley loaded up with 100 bags, each weighting 1kg. With each kilometre, they will ‘lighten the load’ and take a bag off the trolley. By the end of the day, they will cover 100km in distance finishing up with one 1kg worth of weight.

Where: Saturday 21^st January 2023 Del Rio Riverside Resort at Wisemans Ferry

Why: Local lads take on their biggest challenge tohelp remove barriers to help seeking, expand conversations and raise funds for Lifeline

Each year, over 1 million Australians reach out to Lifeline for support. As we inch closer to the holiday season, Lifeline is preparing for its busiest time of year. The high volume of people reaching out for support is driven by increased personal stressors in the community, such as heightened financial pressures, increased family conflict, loneliness, isolation or the grief of having lost a loved one.

According to the latest ABS data, 8.6 Australians die every day by suicide – with 75% of those affected being male. Lifeline Australia provides Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis and suicide prevention services – which are anticipated to be used by many throughout the upcoming festive period.

Inspired by their own personal experiences and understanding that many people, particularly men, are frightened to share their feelings with others, Matthew and Shannan have come up with the idea for a symbolic event – whereby they are raising funds and awareness for Lifeline.  

“The idea for the event came from my realisation that there are quite a few men in my circle, including myself, that don’t talk about their feelings enough. It’s easy to slip into dark states of mind and I thought this event could act as a reminder for people that there are dedicated services, provided by organisations like Lifeline, who are always there to listen,” says Matthew Tojic. “What we are planning has a symbolic meaning – we are encouraging everyone to share the load by speaking out, so the weight of what you are feeling is easier to carry.”

The event -“Relay for Lifeline” – will take place on Saturday 21^st January 2023 at Del Rio Riverside Resort at Wisemans Ferry. On the day, Matthew and Shannan will be running a relay with a hand trolley loaded up with 100 bags, each weighting 1 kg - taking turns every kilometre. With each kilometre, they will take a bag off the trolley, to literally and metaphorically “lighten the load”. By the end of the day, they will cover 100km in distance finishing up with one 1kg worth of weight.

Wisemans Ferry has been a strategic choice for Matt, as he and his family have been frequenting the area around 20 years. Matt thinks a combination of a wide open space, a high-quality caravan park and the timings of the event -which falls on the school holidays period - will help to attract a crowd to support and perhaps join in on the relay.  

CALL TO ACTION: Donate to Relay for Lifeline to help the boys raise $5,000 to answer 128 calls from those in their darkest moments  - donate here