On Friday, February 23, rugby league ambassadors and service and corporate partners of ALIVE gathered to support lifesaving resilience training for young Australians at the first annual ALIVE Charity Luncheon.
Held prior to the Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith testimonial match, the luncheon was hosted by QRL Central Division, who have partnered with ALIVE for mental wellbeing and resilience programs to aid in suicide prevention across Queensland.
The event was a celebration of the achievements of this partnership and an opportunity to support young Australians through ALIVE’s mission to end youth suicide.
These initiatives saw the ALIVE team support more than 8500 young players and students last year in their Operation School Invasion.
ALIVE founder and CEO Tamsyn Rosenberg gave a passionate and galvanising speech on the day, reminding guests that ALIVE’s initiatives were 100% funded by public support and fundraising.
“We as a community are responding and taking action to empower our young Australians,” she said.
“Thanks to the QRL, ALIVE patrons and rugby league ambassadors for the incredible support and funding such life changing and crucial programs.
“We appreciate you being in the long game with us, to help us change the tides on these horrifying trends.
“Suicide prevention may not be any of your jobs, but because we understand that life is precious, it is all of our shared responsibility.”
The luncheon also included inspiring speeches from ex-Brisbane Bronco and long-term mental health ambassador Jack Reed and NRL Wellbeing and Education Manager Murray Hurst, who both highlighted the importance of supporting our young players emotionally and in all areas of their wellbeing.
Goodlife and Go Health Clubs CEO and ALIVE charity patron Niki Dean also shared his experience of fundraising with ALIVE to support the community.
“We have actively fundraised over $28,000 with ALIVE this year and helped support over 8000 students,” Dean said.
“This has been our most successful fundraising effort and partnership so far, and it’s an honour to be involved in the important work ALIVE is doing.”
Sports memorabilia and a special collector’s Thurston headgear was auctioned for the cause, and a genuine, mounted State of Origin match ball signed by all the players was raffled off among other prizes.
The luncheon was a great success, with all funds raised going towards mental wellbeing and empowerment programs.
These programs include ALIVE’s Operation School Invasion for students, with a 12-month curriculum, teacher training, and parent’s support program available across Queensland.
These programs are not currently funded, and cost only $2 per student to deliver.
ALIVE has 52 schools and 300 clubs currently looking for sponsorship support to access these programs.
For more details about how to access the program for your club or school, or to become an Operation School Invasion sponsor, visit alive.org.au.
ABOUT ALIVE
ALIVE is a community-driven organisation of people and partners committed to end youth suicide.
ALIVE inspires and supports young Australians to thrive through the engagement of activity-based wellbeing initiatives, and talks about the tough subjects like bullying, self-esteem, resilience and mindset.
Their programs are highly engaging and involve the use of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, horse riding and equine therapy, farm play, coaching and life skills.
ALIVE partner with sporting teams and athletes to help young people thrive in all aspects of life.
