Record fundraising total achieved to support Geelong’s young people

Rotary Club of Belmont 2019 Business Charity Luncheon

BCYF, as the lead agency of headspace Geelong, is proud to be a community partner of the Rotary Club of Belmont’s 2019 Business Charity Luncheon which last week raised a record total of $162,540.

The money raised from the event, now in its third year, will go towards headspace Geelong, in particular to its Social Inclusion Project – a program focused on early intervention for complex, isolated and hard to engage young people.

Since late 2016 the Social Inclusion Project has successfully delivered over 300 individual mentoring sessions and more than 60 community based group sessions to young people within the Geelong Region.

“Mental health is the number one issue of concern for young people in Australia today,” Grant Gibson, headspace Geelong Operations Manager, said. 

“The Social Inclusion Project complements our headspace support services through a more outreach-based service approach. It allows young people to engage in a service where they feel comfortable and safe in discussing their mental health outside of a clinical environment, and this helps to get them back on track as well as strengthening their ability to manage their mental health in the future.”

An audience of around 330 people attended the luncheon, which was held at GHMBA Stadium and supported by fellow community partners in Swagman Tours, Morris Finance, Bendigo Bank and the Geelong Cats. The event included talks by guest speakers Dylan Alcott OAM, Australian Paralympic gold medallist, and Stephen Wells, Geelong Football Club Recruitment and List Manager.

Guests also heard from three of the participants of the Social Inclusion Project, via a pre-recorded video, about the positive impact that the project has had on their lives.

“The introduction of the Social Inclusion Project has resulted in meaningful outcomes for many young people across the Geelong community. The overwhelming support from the community in supporting the Business Charity Luncheon is a terrific acknowledgment of how this service is both respected and valued,” Sandy Morrison, BCYF CEO, said.

“The funds raised will directly contribute to addressing the increasing demand in youth mental health and, to this end, BCYF extends its’ appreciation and thanks the Rotary Club of Belmont for demonstrating such strong community leadership and commitment to our local youth.” Mr Morrison added.

The Rotary Club of Belmont’s 2019 Business Charity Luncheon now takes the total funds raised since the event began in 2017 to over $300,000.

Anyone wishing to support BCYF’s headspace Geelong service can contact Julia Ladgrove, BCYF’s Fundraising Manager at fundraising@bcyf.org.au