Fifth fundraiser for charitable cause

FOLLOWING a two-year pause, the Friends of India Network’s annual fundraiser gala is set to return.

The group will hold their fifth fundraising dinner on Saturday, 13 August at the Mercure, with proceeds going towards the Ballarat and District Suicide Prevention Network.

The fundraiser’s cause changes yearly, and FIN president Dr Sanjay Sharma said their latest is particularly relevant.

“Over the last two years, school kids’ mental health issues have come to light with how the pandemic, school closures and lockdowns have affected them,” he said.

“These days a school is not just 9am to 3pm, so things like bullying which used to be a schoolyard thing goes on beyond their school lives.

“We’re wanting to engage with the schools’ mental health program through the Network and their Live4Life program which will benefit almost 5000 young people.”

Dr Sharma said the fundraisers have been building incrementally, and he hopes to raise over $50,000 for the upcoming event.

Their previous effort was in March 2020, and saw over $35,000 raised for Ballarat Health Services’ emergency department.

The black-tie event will include a live and silent auction, a raffle, dinner and live music.

Dr Sharma said the gala will also acknowledge the efforts of FIN’s fundraiser cricket charity held in March.

“We’ll also be using the opportunity for our presentation on the cricket awards which normally would have been held on the same day,” he said.

“This will be a complete entertainment package, and people will be able to mingle and take in everything, but there is an important purpose to all this as well.”

Tickets are $165 and $1650 for tables of 10. To book visit bit.ly/3z4Q2oR.

To donate, visit bit.ly/3z4T8cq.