Mars Wrigley Australia has made a cash donation of $40,612 to Lifeline Ballarat and Lifeline Hawkesbury – the local branch of Australia’s largest suicide prevention service to support the mental health and wellbeing of the community.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stress and mental health issues are at an all-time high. On average, one call every 30 seconds or an equivalent of 3000 calls each day is made to Lifeline.
To help meet the increased demand for its 24/7 lifesaving crisis support services, Lifeline Ballarat has used Mars Wrigley Australia’s donation to purchase 40 telephone headsets, ensuring each crisis support volunteer has the equipment needed to provide lifesaving crisis support now and into the future.
“The global COVID-19 pandemic has introduced challenges to millions of lives, and as a business, we are committed to supporting the local communities we operate in as we collectively navigate these uncertain times,” says General Manager of Mars Wrigley Australia, Andrew Leakey.
“Through our donation to Lifeline, we hope to support the mental wellbeing of our community be ensuring volunteers have the equipment the need to carry out the critical, lifesaving crisis support work Australians need during this time and into the future.”
Additionally, Mars Wrigley has also donated funds to allow Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury to purchase headsets for all of its crisis support volunteers.
“We’re extremely grateful to Mars Wrigley for their generous donation,” says Program Manager of Lifeline Ballarat, Jodie Van Schie.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic we’ve seen a significant rise in the number of calls to our service and these headsets will ensure our expert crisis supporters are able to continue to support vulnerable people in their time of need.”
As part of Mars, Incorporated’s global COVID-19 relief efforts, Mars Wrigley Australia has made a total of over $200,000 cash and in-kind donations to bring better moments and more smiles to the communities in which it operates, namely Asquith and Ballarat. Locally, these donations include:
- Health Workers Union Victoria has received $30,000 in product donations that it continues to distribute to healthcare workers across metropolitan and regional;
- Foodbank VIC has received an additional $25,000 in product donations beyond what we already provide to this organisation annually;
- Hornsby Connect will receive $15,000 in product donations to support their food relief efforts across the local Hornsby community and;
- Ballarat Health Services/ Eat Drink West – ($10,000, cash and product in kind) – Mars Wrigley has purchased 123 of Eat Drink West’s ‘Thank you boxes’ – hampers filled with local produce and Mars products – to gift to Ballarat Health Services staff working on the frontline.
- Salvation Army Ballarat has received $15,000 in product donations to support their food relief efforts across the local Ballarat community; and
If members of the community are finding it hard to cope at this time, reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7) or text 0477 13 11 14 (6pm-midnight).
