Bega Valley SPAN (Suicide Prevention Action Network) have received their largest single donation from a business in Merimbula – bringing tears to SPAN Secretary Helen Best’s eyes.
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The heartwarming moment unfolded for Ms Best as she answered the phone to someone she had not met before stating that SPAN was going to receive a donation of $5,000.
Ms Best was overwhelmed by the timing of the donation. The donation was received on the anniversary month of her son’s suicide.
It is an an emotional time of year for Ms Best who said it has been eight years since her son Peter died by suicide.
“It is the month leading up to the anniversary that is so hard for all of us who have lost someone,” she said.
Ms Best was also overwhelmed by such a significant sum of money, which SPAN needs to continue their work in the community.
“For someone to ring up out of the blue and offer that sort of money to help prevent others from the same tragedy is very moving.”
Insurance Advisernet Merimbula is the business behind the donation. Owner Kristy Martin and her team of local women at Insurance Advisernet are hoping to help raise the profile of SPAN’s work in the community.
“We are thrilled to be able to donate to such a wonderful cause,” Ms Martin said.
“They do amazing things for our community, I would love to get the awareness out there for them and to get other people or businesses to donate and help. Every little bit counts.”
For someone to ring up out of the blue and offer that sort of money to help prevent others from the same tragedy is very moving.
- Helen Best - Secretary of Bega Valley SPAN
Ms Martin was touched by the sincerity of those involved in the organisation and is looking forward to providing ongoing support.
“When I rang and told them that I had chosen SPAN to donate to, Helen who I spoke to broke into tears on the phone and told me how much it means to her and the organisation, for them to be able to pay their bills and keep the organisation going.”
“The people involved in SPAN are so genuine and it is great to hear that the donation is really going to help them,” Ms Martin said.
SPAN is looking forward to showing Insurance Advisernet what great things will come from the donation. Ms Best hopes more businesses will support SPAN.
“If we can get more people on board, what we do will become more effective,” she said.
“The idea is to give people the support skills in the community so that the community can then help itself.”
Ms Best said “SPAN aims for a culture change so that people of the community who are struggling can put their hand up and say they need help.”
“Services and resources are really stretched down here, so by empowering the people and empowering the community to help itself is going to have the biggest effect on reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking behaviour for when people need it,” Ms Best said.
CLICK HERE to visit their webpage. Anyone is encouraged to help SPAN promote wellbeing and improve mental health services and aspects of suicide prevention.
To get involved in community outreach activities at markets and events or to become a member, contact SPAN on begaspan@gmail.com.
Please note that SPAN is not a crisis response service.
If you, or someone you are with, is in immediate danger call 000
Crisis and Counselling Telephone Lines:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
BeyondBlue: 1300 22 4636
Men’s Line: 1300 78 99 78
Veterans Line: 1800 011 046
Qlife: 1800 184 527
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800