From 27 September to 3 October, mental health advocate and fashion designer Marnie Hillier from Ms Marnie is donating $25 from each limited edition t-shirt pre-ordered online to Lifeline Aotearoa towards manning the essential phone-lines that have seen a 25% increase in calls since the beginning of Covid-19.
It’s already the third year where Ms Marnie and Lifeline Aotearoa have joined forces. In 2020, the You Matter campaign raised over $30,000, helping Lifeline Aotearoa train new staff and volunteers to provide much needed counselling and support for people in distress and at risk of suicide.
The lifesaving service receives over 100,000 calls per year and funds its operation through donations. Last year, the organisation experienced a 25% increase in calls and texts from people in distress due to nationwide lockdowns and that demand is only increasing.
Helena de Fontenay, Operations Manager at Lifeline, says it’s thanks to initiatives like that that the organisation can continue to support many Kiwis going through hardship: “Show your support with a You Matter t-shirt, wear it with pride and support your friends, whānau and co-workers this Mental Health Awareness Week. These funds go a long way to help our incredible volunteers and counsellors who operate the frontline helpline service help New Zealanders. The impact of this campaign will mean so much to those among us who are suffering or in crisis who will be able to access potentially lifesaving support.”
Each shirt, created for this year’s campaign, is emblazoned with an important message for New Zealanders: You Matter. The popular designs are available for pre-order from Monday, 27 September through to midnight Sunday, 3 October. Share your purchase with #YouMatter and tag @lifelinenz @msmarnie_is_here and help spread the word!
0800 LIFELINE (543 354) is available for free 24/7 for those in distress and contemplating suicide
