Geelong United shoots big for Lifeline

A DONATION from Geelong United Basketball Association will enable Lifeline Geelong to train new crisis support workers.

Through its second annual Lifeline Round, the association presented Lifeline Geelong with $10,000, which will provide three call workers with adequate training at the suicide awareness organisation’s base on McKillop Street.

Lifeline Victoria General Manager Jason Doherty said he was taken aback when he found out Geelong United had raised $10,000.

“It was amazing to find out, they’ve got some great people involved in the organisation ranging from the staff through to the board,” Mr Doherty said.

“It’ll only grow from here, that’s the starting point for us, and how they’ve helped us from a publicity standpoint over the past year will help us leading into next year significantly.”

Mr Doherty said it costs Lifeline around $3,500 to train a new crisis support worker in its call centres.

Each crisis support worker will answer approximately 500 calls each year.

All funds raised from Geelong United’s Lifeline Round (May 1-7) were raised through its domestic basketball competitions and its representative teams, including the NBL1 Geelong United Supercats.

For each ticket sold to the club’s NBL1 South game night against Mt Gambier on May 6, $1 was donated to Lifeline.

Geelong United Basketball also donated $1 from the sale of every drink purchased from the Gage Roads Brewery Bar at Geelong Arena that night.

Domestic players and parents during Lifeline Round also had the option to donate $1 when entering the stadium.

Geelong United CEO Mark Neeld said the association is thrilled to once again partner with Lifeline Geelong in 2023.

“Our partnership with Lifeline provides the Geelong United basketball community to do something for someone else,” Mr Neeld said.

“That is one of the wonderful aspects about being involved with sport, using that platform to help others, and the fact that our community, over the span of seven days, has raised $10,000 for an organisation such as Lifeline is just wonderful.”

If you or someone you know needs help, phone Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, headspace on 1800 650 890 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.