On Friday 22 February 2019, Lifeline will hold its annual gala ball at the National Arboretum beautifully themed “In the Clouds”.
With limited government funding in the ACT, Lifeline relies heavily on their annual gala, alongside the Lifeline Bookfair, “Lock up your boss” campaign and other fundraising initiatives, to provide vital community services.
The black-tie event has already sold out, but a generous collective of Canberra individuals and businesses have donated a variety of very cool items. These will be auctioned online to the public, and via a live auction on the evening.
Carrie Leeson, Lifeline CEO, says all the money stays in Canberra and funds go directly to improving the lives of people in our nation’s capital.
“On the night we will have a live auction, which includes items such as an overnight sailing experience, VIP lounge suite concert tickets to Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles, a one-of-a-kind self-portrait donated by popular local artist Ben Quilty (who will attend the gala), a personal tour and luncheon at the War Memorial with Dr Brendon Nelson, and more.
“We also have a secret auction item…but I’m not saying anything until the night!”
Carrie laments that last year was devastating for Canberra, with a 107 per cent increase in the suicide rate. Fifty-eight mums, dads, brothers and sisters lost their lives to despair.
“We need everyone to know they can call and get through to the crisis support centre when they need it. We’re also working very hard to educate people in Canberra. There are first aid courses to learn how to save a life, but we don’t have that same attitude to mental health. We need to empower ourselves through mental health first aid, because the very life you save could be your own.”
Bid online before the event
The public can bid on the generously donated products and services from Canberra businesses on ALLBIDS now, with 100 per cent of monies raised going to Lifeline.
“We have everything from local media advertising packages to lawn mowing equipment and cosmetic laser treatments,” says Carrie.
“We’re grateful to be able to use ALLBIDS to help turn donations into much-needed funds for the crisis support and suicide prevention service. We used the platform in our last gala and it was our most successful to date in terms of funds raised, and also the experience on the night.
“We’re aiming to beat that as always with the upcoming event! Our events team is very competitive because the better we do on the night the more we can do in the long term. It’s easy to be motivated when you’re raising money for Lifeline.”
The items available for bidding right now include:
- Two hours’ hire of Nellie’s Travelling Café Bar
- One hour introductory flight at Goulburn Flight Training Centre
- One night stay at uShaka Lodge at Jamala
- 10 ticket pass to Delta Force Paint Ball
- Silver Package Winery Tour from Canberra Winery Tours
- Exclusive Martini Masterclass voucher for up to six people
Plus so much more! You can view the collection of auction items here.
Rob Evans, CEO of ALLBIDS, says it’s always a pleasure to help Lifeline raise money for their vital work in Canberra.
“It’s fantastic that local businesses have donated such wonderful items for this auction, and Canberrans can dig deep to bid on them knowing that they’re helping an organisation as important as Lifeline.
“ALLBIDS loves to help charities turn donations into money. It means that generous organisations can gift their unique products and services, which are then offered to our growing database and turned into money so that charities, such as Lifeline, can keep doing the important work they do every day.”
Lifeline In the Clouds gala ball will be held at the National Arboretum from 7pm on February 22, 2019.
To bid on these incredible products and services and help Lifeline, visit ALLBIDS or call them on 6239 2262.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
This article was first published by The Riot ACT Website by Rachel Ziv https://the-riotact.com/bid-to-save-a-life-flight-training-winery-tours-jamala-lodge-and-more/287324
