Lifeline

Mental health support facilities in the nation’s capital have received a major boost with a donation to Lifeline Canberra by Audi Centre Canberra to help instigate new mental health initiatives.

The announcement was made at a glittering gala held at the stunning Canberra Arboretum, attended by friends and supporters of the charity. Audi Centre Canberra Dealer Principal, Richard Rolfe AM, presented a cheque for $50,000 to Lifeline to aid in the establishment of the new internationally sourced programs, which he described as ‘a game changer in dealing with mental health issues in Australia’.

Lifeline is a national counselling charity that provides support services to all Australians experiencing difficulties from crisis support, to suicide prevention, relationship and family concerns and domestic violence. 

With more than one million contacts from those in need each year, Lifeline’s crisis support hotline deals with a new caller roughly every half minute, which equates to 2200 calls from all over the country each day.

Following a trip to Canada by a Lifeline Canberra delegation to see how the Canadian Mental Health Commission operated, a decision was made to adopt a range of new initiatives locally in addition to the numerous services already provided by Lifeline nationally.

Although Lifeline receives some government funding, more than 80 percent of the charity’s operating costs are covered by its retail operations and fundraising, so establishing a new initiative could not be allowed to impact the existing services. Here, Audi Centre Canberra was instrumental in establishing the framework – contacting local government minister, Shane Rattenbury, with a request to produce a number of special number plates. These will be sold to aid Lifeline in its fundraising endeavours with Audi Centre Canberra covering the cost of their production. 

The new initiative with Lifeline is just one of many charities supported by the Rolfes and Audi Centre Canberra.