Men’s lunch to help mental health support groups

THE Northern Rivers Hotel is hosting a Lunch with your Mates event to help shine a light on men’s mental health across the region.

It will be hosted by Olympic swimming champion Duncan Armstrong on Friday, April 4.

The event aims to start conversations around mental health and allow men to interact in a relaxed setting among their peers.

It has been organised by Tony Durheim, whose family run the pub.

Durheim said he was compelled to run an event in Lismore after attending a similar fundraiser at Bangalow last year.

“I was shocked by some of the statistics and a lot of people probably don’t know how bad it is,” he said.

“This is something we have wanted to do for a while now and hopefully we can make a difference.

“We’re expecting about 200 people in the beer garden, it’s a chance to share important information while still enjoying a fun afternoon together.”

Armstrong will be joined by former rugby league and rugby union stars Elton Flatley and Craig Salvatori.

Sports journalists Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock, Ian Hanson and Pat Welsh will also help entertain the crowd.

The Bangalow Men’s Shed is involved and wants to run ongoing programs with young men to raise awareness around suicide rates in the region.

The group is already working with the NSW Police to help spread the message.

Money raised from the event will go towards the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and the Bangalow Men’s Shed to help with the youth programs.

It will be a four-hour event from noon with tables and bookings needing to be confirmed by March 28.

Bookings can be made by phone at 6627 6119.

If you need to speak to someone for support, please contact the men’s shed on 1300 550 009 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.